Euro-6 is going to hit the haulage industry like a
Page 29
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
sledge hammer – but how will it affect you? CM investigates from the perspective of the operator, the dealer and the truck manufacturer
Words: Will Shiers, Kevin Swallow and George Barrow
Since their introduction in 1992, Euro emissions regulations have become increasingly stringent, resulting in dramatic reductions of noxious gases and particulates emitted from the tailpipe. But the jump from Euro-5 to Euro-6 (which becomes mandatory on 31 December 2013) is the largest so far, and will result in 66% fewer particulates and 80% lower NOx. To put this into perspective, it’s almost as big as the 16-year move from Euro-1 to Euro-5 (94% fewer particulates and 75% lower NOx).
In order to comply with Euro-6, which is likely to be the final round of emissions regulations to hit the European haulage industry, truckmakers have faced a huge technical challenge. So far, Mercedes-Benz and Scania have announced details of their Euro-6 engines, and both have chosen to combine exhaust gas recircu lation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction
(SCR) and a particulate trap. It seems likely that many European truck and engine makers will follow suit. However, Iveco has announced it plans to use SCR only to achieve Euro-6 targets, bypassing EGR, which will result in the need for additional cooling – and in some cases will mean different chassis packaging and complete truck redesigns. ■