Volvo Trucks North America announced this week that it will begin field testing this month of Volvo trucks equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to meet U.S. 2010 emissions regulations.
The first five SCR-equipped Volvo VN daycabs were presented to Talon Logistics at Volvo Trucks North America’s headquarters in Greensboro, N.C. on Sept. 13. Talon Logistics is the distribution unit of Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle Inc., one of the largest U.S. food retailers and distributors. Talon Logistics accumulated more than six million miles in an earlier SCR field test with Volvo that began in 2002.
Volvo’s technology solution for 2010 builds upon its current emissions reduction technology, with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Volvo says it also draws upon the Volvo Group’s extensive experience with SCR in Europe, where more than 100,000 trucks have been built by the group to date. A total of 11 trucks with the Volvo Group’s SCR technology are scheduled to enter field test service this year, with additional trucks entering service in 2008.
SCR is an aftertreatment technology that injects diesel exhaust fluid, a water-based solution containing urea, into an engine’s hot exhaust stream to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The diesel exhaust fluid, in conjunction with a catalyst in the exhaust aftertreatment system, breaks down the NOx into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. Urea is an organic nitrogen-containing compound commonly used in agriculture as a fertilizer and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a nonhazardous substance.
“This is a milestone in achieving cleaner air, while delivering the fuel economy, reliability and performance our customers demand,” says Peter Karlsten, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Trucks North America. “We know from Volvo’s experience in other markets that SCR is the best technology for producing very low NOx emissions, plus excellent fuel economy.”
