Brochure For Sterling Set-Back 113 With Natural Gas Now Available

Sterling Truck Corporation recently announced the Sterling Set-Back 113 with Natural Gas (NG) brochure is now available at www.SterlingTrucks.com/NaturalGas.

Sterling launched the Set-Back 113 with NG in May 2008.  According to Sterling, the Set-Back 113 with NG has the lowest emissions in the industry without sacrificing top-level performance and efficiency.  Part of Sterling's Clean Drive Technologies, it is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G, which already meets EPA 2010 standards and has 85 percent lower NOx emissions than the C Gas Plus engine.

The Set-Back 113 with NG, a Class 7-8 truck, is now available for LTL and distribution applications. Currently in development, the truck also will be configured for the government, construction, P&D and utility applications.

Natural gas technology can save an estimated $6,000 in annual fuel and operating costs per truck and customers in states such as California will also benefit from tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles.

Source: Sterling Trucks

Kenworth Environmental Programs Site Debuts

Kenworth recently unveiled the new Kenworth Environmental Programs website (www.kenworth.com/environmental.asp) offering customers a convenient way to learn about Kenworth’s green products and initiatives.

“The new Kenworth Environmental Programs website makes it convenient to learn more about Kenworth vehicles equipped with industry-leading technology and our commitment to lower fuel costs and reduced emissions,” said Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales.

The Kenworth green Internet site leads off with the Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system and an easy-to-use calculator to help figure savings. Also featured are Kenworth alternative fuel trucks and hybrid programs. Rounding out the site are sections on Kenworth dealerships, PACCAR engines, the in-cab Kenworth Driver Information Center, EPA SmartWay models, and PACCAR Environmental Leadership.

Source: Kenworth

Los Angeles City Council Approves Port Of Los Angeles Clean Truck Program

Los Angeles City Council recently announced approval to the Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Truck Program (CTP), the landmark plan designed to help slash port-related, diesel truck emissions by 80 percent.

The Council vote adds further momentum to the Port’s transition to a License Motor Carrier-based truck concession system beginning October 1, 2008.

The CTP will accelerate the replacement of high-polluting trucks with cleaner trucks while elevating port drayage to 21st Century trucking industry standards. Licensed Motor Carriers will enter into drayage concession agreements with criteria including a requirement to commit to using 100-percent employee drivers by calendar year 2013 in a phased-in schedule.

The Port will now be able to hold those companies accountable for maintaining trucks and employing properly credentialed drivers. That, in turn, will ensure a sufficient supply of drivers, improve truck safety and maintenance while lowering emissions, enhance Port security and reduce the negative impacts that drayage services have on communities near the Port.

Source: The Port Of Los Angeles

Daimler Trucks North America Expands Engine Offerings

Daimler Trucks North America, recently announced that it will offer a full line of its own Detroit Diesel engines, as well as Cummins heavy- and medium-duty engines, across its Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses vehicle range.

The Detroit Diesel DD15, at 14.8L displacement, was launched in October 2007, as the first in a complete line of all new heavy-duty diesel engines that will ultimately power Daimler Trucks offerings around the world. The DD15 utilizes turbo compounding and amplified common rail fuel injection to achieve superior power and fuel economy. Additional variants, at 12.8L (DD13) and 15.6L (DD16) will be introduced at intervals over the coming months, and will supplant current Detroit Diesel and Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty engine offerings in the Daimler Trucks North America stable of commercial vehicles.

The 14.8L ISX heavy-duty diesel engine manufactured by Cummins Inc. will round out the options in Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star Class 8 trucks in the post-EPA10 era. Today, Cummins is Daimler Trucks North America’s exclusive external engine partner in the supply of medium-duty ISB, ISC, and ISL engines for Freightliner trucks and chassis, Sterling trucks and Thomas Built buses in classes 5 through 7.

The Cummins ISX in EPA07 trim will be available in the recently introduced Freightliner Cascadia model (pictured below), for delivery in January of 2009.

"This decision will complement our current successful and proprietary product line of Detroit Diesel and Mercedes-Benz engines. It will expand and strengthen the range of choices for our customers, and establish Cummins as a full range vendor engine partner," said Chris Patterson, president and chief executive officer of DTNA. "This action was a result of many months of carefully considered planning and consulting with our key customers to determine engine needs and preferences. We are convinced that expanded engine options will offer the best suite of solutions on the market, bar none," added Patterson.

Source: Daimler Trucks North America

Sterling Introduces Its First Natural Gas-Powered Vehicle

Concerns over truck emissions have resulted in new laws and regulations on trucks in shipping terminals. While truck manufacturers have sought to clean up diesel emissions with filters and improved engines, the demand for low-emission trucks have moved alternative fuels from the testing lab to the loading dock.

Sterling Truck Corporation recently rolled out a new natural gas (NG)-fueled tractor. The Sterling Set-Back 113 fueled with Natural Gas is ideal for port operations, as well as natural gas utilities and municipalities. An OEM factory-built product, this truck is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G.

According to Sterling Trucks...

Natural gas technology can save an estimated $6,000 in annual fuel and operating costs per truck. Customers in states such as California will also benefit from tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles. Fuel providers take advantage of these incentives, too, which means that accessibility to NG fuel is on the rise.

"Due to deterioration in air quality, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have embraced the use of alternative fuels in commercial vehicles. At the same time, utility companies and municipalities throughout North America have shown increased interest in green transportation technology," said Richard Shearing, manager of product strategy for Sterling Truck Corporation. "By introducing the Set-Back 113 with Natural Gas, we're giving our customers a hard-working truck that reduces both costs and environmental emissions."

Source: Sterling Trucks

Con-Way Inc. Reduces Speed On Trucks To Save Fuel And Enviroment

San Mateo County Times reports that trucking company Con-way Inc. is setting the maximum speed for their trucks to 65 mph.

The effort by Con-Way affects around 2,700 trucks.

The effort is aimed at not just saving money on fuel (about 2.8 million gallons per year) but also reduce carbon emissions by 62 million pounds.

Source: InsideBayArea.com

The American Trucking Associations launches first-ever industry-wide environmental sustainability program

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently launched a far-reaching program of initiatives to set the industry on the road toward a more sustainable future under the banner Trucks Deliver a Cleaner Tomorrow.

This first-ever industry-wide environmental sustainability program identifies a series of initiatives that will reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, thereby helping combat the challenge of global climate change.

ATA President and CEO Bill Graves praised the program as a landmark effort that will join all trucking industry stakeholders to work together on these issues.

"ATA has committed itself to a series of measures that can reduce fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and CO2 emissions by 900 million tons for all vehicles over the next 10 years," said Graves. "Our proposals are practical, reasonable, and doable. They make environmental sense, and they make common sense."

"The program is a continuation of environmental advances made by the trucking industry over the last quarter century," Graves added. "But there's no doubt that today's skyrocketing diesel prices give us an added incentive to roll it out across the industry, and for Congress to provide the support the program needs."

The report includes six key recommendations to reduce fuel consumption and addresses the impact of these activities on the environment. They are the equivalent of eliminating the CO2 generated by 9.6 million Americans for one year - roughly equal to the population of the Chicago metropolitan area.

The recommendations are displayed on a new Web site, www.trucksdeliver.org, together with full details of the trucking industry's new commitments on sustainability:

• Set governors on new trucks to limit speeds to no more than 68 mph and reduce the national speed limit to 65 mph for all vehicles.
• Reduce engine idling.
• Increase fuel efficiency by encouraging participation in the U.S. EPA SmartWay(SM) Transport Partnership Program.
• Reduce congestion by improving highways, if necessary by raising the fuels tax.
• Use more productive truck combinations.
• Support national fuel economy standards for trucks.

Source: The American Trucking Associations

Fleet managers consider propane as a diesel fuel alternative

With diesel prices rising, companies and government agencies are giving alternative fuels serious consideration. While biodiesel and even cooking oil has been used as truck fuel, another contender is propane.

Could propane make the leap from the backyard grill to your truck's fuel tanks?

VenturaCountyStar.com reports on a recent show held by a liquid-energy company, featuring vehicles powered by propane and experts to answer questions about propane's safety and ease of use.

While propane is cheaper than diesel and emits lower levels of pollution, finding the money to buy new vehicles and infrastructure to maintain propane engines is still a challenge.

Source: VenturaCountyStar.com

Frieghtliner Cascadia esignated as SmartWay-certified by the EPA

Freightliner Trucks recently announced that the Cascadia has been designated as SmartWay-certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Cascadia marks the third Freightliner Class 8 truck – along with the Columbia and Century Class S/T – to earn this certification.

According to Freightliner...

SmartWay is a voluntary program for the transportation industry that establishes incentives for fuel efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Trucks that earn the SmartWay designation can be 10 to 20 percent more fuel efficient and up to 90 percent cleaner than comparable models.

“Freightliner’s Run Smart philosophy – the platform on which we developed the Cascadia – is to be the most productive, efficient, and driveable truck on the market,” said Melissa Kellogg, director of product marketing for FreighTrucks. “Run Smart perfectly complements the SmartWay initiative.”

Source: Freightliner

Volvo Engines meet California Clean Idle Certification with low nitrogen oxide emissions

To comply with tough low-emission laws in California, Volvo Truck engines can be ordered with an optional Low NOx (low nitrogen oxides) Idle, or LNI, feature.

According to Volvo Trucks North America...

Volvo’s family of D11, D13 and D16 engines can be ordered with an optional Low NOx Idle, or LNI, feature. With LNI, Volvo engines are certified to emit 30 gr/hr or less of NOx while idling. California regulations prohibit trucks which do not meet this standard from idling for more than five minutes. Pennsylvania and New Jersey have adopted the requirement and other states are considering it.

“As part of our environmental core value, Volvo has always promoted turning the engine off when a truck is not in use to reduce emissions and to conserve fuel,” said Matt Kelly, Volvo’s executive director - marketing. “However, it may be necessary to idle the engine while parked for a prolonged period in order to provide a comfortable environment to the driver who may be resting in the truck, such as during particularly hot or cold weather.”

Volvo’s LNI solution involves idling at a low 700 rpm, while also employing a low level of exhaust gas recirculation. This reduces fuel consumption compared to higher idle speeds, and lowers NOx emissions. It also provides faster engine warm-up, so the truck can be driven sooner after a cold start, which saves time and fuel, all with lower emissions. Volvo engines can be safely idled for extended periods of time.

Source: Volvo Trucks North America

Caterpillar customers report 2007 Engines Performing Well

Last year, new restrictions on engine emissions went into effect. Truck manufacturers redesigned engines and added new particle filters to comply with the new regulations. Some truckers wondered if the new engine designs would affect performance and reliability.

Recently, Caterpillar's web site posted a press release featuring quotes from customers who are using the new engines, such as the C13 pictured below.

Customers report that the engines are not just keeping the air clean, but the trucks and trailers as well.

With a complete line of four Caterpillar® 2007 engines in full production and readily available, customers are providing feedback on how the newest additions to the Caterpillar engine line are doing on the road.

One such customer is Ray Birkmire, an over-the-road driver for New Century Transportation in Westampton, N.J. Birkmire, a 35-year veteran of driving trucks, averages 130,000 miles each year running east coast to west coast. He currently is running a 430-horsepower 2007 Cat® C13 with ACERT™ Technology. So far, he’s put 80,000 miles on the engine, using the required ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

Even with the different fuel requirements, performance and fuel economy is equal to or better than previous engines, Birkmire said.

“I’m happy with the engine, it does a good job. I’m not seeing any performance issues with it using the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. It pulls a mountain in Tennessee that I regularly run at about 65 miles per hour, the same as the previous Cat engine I had,” he said. “We’re getting good fuel mileage, too—it gets 6.8 miles per gallon, and I was amazed that this truck would get that.”

Although the engine iron has changed slightly with the addition of the self-regenerating diesel particulate filter, driving this new C13 feels the same as running a Cat engine always has, according to Birkmire. “There’s no special training required. The dealer sat down with me when the truck came in and explained the regeneration process and the indicator lights,” he said. “Usually it regenerates all by itself, I don’t have to do anything.”

Designed to meet the new, stringent 2007 EPA emissions standards without sacrificing performance, reliability or fuel economy, the new engines provide lower emissions than ever before. One pleasant surprise for Birkmire was how clean the new Cat engine runs.

“There’s no smoke coming out of that stack, which amazes me,” Birkmire said. “It doesn’t smoke at all, and the stack on the truck does not get carbon buildup in it. It actually keeps the trailer clean!”

Source: Caterpillar

California limits on truck idling go into effect

Land line features a story on new limits on idling trucks going into effect in California.

According to Land Line, there has been a five-minute limit on truck idling, with an exception for drivers who are idling during sleep time.

That changed January 1st along with a raise in fines and number of enforcement officers.

Another new rule covers the use of APUs on trucks. 2007 or later model year trucks must use a special filter on diesel APUs.

According to the California Air Resouces Board site...

The new engine requirements require 2008 and newer model year heavy-duty diesel engines to be equipped with a non-programmable engine shutdown system that automatically shuts down the engine after five minutes of idling or optionally meet a stringent oxides of nitrogen idling emission standard. The in-use truck requirements require operators of both in-state and out-of-state registered sleeper berth equipped trucks to manually shut down their engine when idling more than five minutes at any location within California beginning in 2008.

Emission producing alternative technologies such as diesel-fueled auxiliary power systems (APS) and fuel-fired heaters are also required to meet emission performance requirements that ensure emissions are not exceeding the emissions of a truck engine operating at idle. Specifically, the regulation requires diesel APSs installed on trucks with 2007 and newer engines to control particulate matter (PM) emissions by either routing the APS exhaust through the PM trap of the truck engine or by retrofitting the diesel APS with a verified level 3 PM control device that reduces PM emissions by at least 85 percent. Fuel fired heaters installed on trucks with 2007 and newer engines are also required to meet the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle requirements specified in the Low Emission Vehicle regulations. These requirements are effective beginning in 2008.

You can read more on the California Air Resources Board web site.

Source: Land Line and California Air Resources Board

International Truck diesel engines to comply with 2010 emissions standards

International Truck and Engine Corporation, a Navistar company, recently announced that MaxxForce brand diesel engines will meet the stringent U.S. federal 2010 emissions standards for all its core applications without the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.

The company's strategy is designed to provide customer driven solutions to reduce costs and maintenance needs for buyers of International brand vehicles when the next EPA on-highway emission standards take effect.

All MaxxForce on-highway diesel engines used in International's core applications will be fully certified to the EPA 2010 emission standards. "This approach will best serve our core customers who value reduced product and service complexity as well as business planning continuity through another period of industry uncertainty," said Jack Allen, president, International Engine Group. "Coming so soon after 2007 EPA standards, which mandated new engines and after-treatment systems that drove up the price of commercial vehicles, 2010 promises to be a less taxing time for International customers."

Source: International Trucks

Ultra low sulfur diesel - One year later

October 15th marked the one-year anniversary of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. Concerns over engine compatibility and fuel availability marked the introduction of ULSD, but this Diesel Technology Forum YouTube video reports that ULSD usage is going smoothly.


The Diesel Technology forum site also features news on how ULSD is affecting truck sales...

Heavy-duty truck sales slowed in 2007 compared to previous years, though most analysts expect purchases to increase later this year and into 2008. “Many factors influence the acquisition of new truck and engine technologies,” explained Schaeffer. “However, real-world experience has demonstrated that a lack of confidence in the new clean diesel engine technology should not be one of them.”

A new 2007 diesel truck emits just one-sixtieth the soot exhaust of one produced in 1988. And thanks to the new clean diesel fuel, owners of existing diesel vehicles have the option to install new emission controls that can reduce soot emissions by more than 90 percent. Congress is currently considering appropriations for the national clean diesel retrofit program and could provide up to $200 million this year to modernize existing vehicles and equipment.

In this image, DTF Executive Director Allen Schaeffer demonstrates that ultra-low sulfur diesel, part of the "clean diesel system", is so clean, that it can pass the white handkerchief test.

Source Diesel Technology Forum

Virginia Port Authority and EPA to promote financing for reduced emission trucks

The Virginia Port Authority recently announced its support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership with the launch of a pilot program that offers low-cost financing to purchase diesel trucks with more emission efficient engines or to retrofit older models for efficiency.

This program brings together lenders and truck dealers under a special low-interest loan offer designed to help truckers buy new, more emission-efficient rigs. The loan can be used to finance upgrades to existing trucks for things like fuel-saving auxiliary power units, widebased tires and improving the aerodynamics of tractors and trailers. It is estimated that truck owners who make a purchase using this program can save between $100 and $200 a month. The program is the first of its kind for U.S. ports.

“We are encouraging use of this offer and will promote it within the trucking community because it provides some very real incentives to the drivers,” said Heather Mantz, the VPA’s environmental director. “This program, combined with the decision to use ultra low-sulfur diesel [ULSD] fuel in our vehicle fleet at the terminals, will help the region’s air quality.”

In July, Virginia International Terminals Inc., the VPA’s private terminal operating company, voluntarily began using ULSD in its fleet of nearly 500 vehicles. The switch came almost three years ahead of a federally-mandated change for ports to use cleaner burning fuel in their equipment.

Source: VaPorts.com

Cummins to offer complete lineup of on-highway engines to meet 2010 emissions standards

Cummins recently announced a technology approach for on-highway engines to meet the more stringent 2010 EPA emissions standards. Cummins will offer a complete lineup of on-highway engines to meet the near-zero 2010 emissions standards.

According to Cummins...

The next-generation cooled EGR is key to reducing emissions and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). EGR technology will not add complexity to the vehicle; and power, torque, fuel economy and maintenance intervals will stay the same. Cummins presently leads the U.S. on-highway truck market with cooled-EGR technology.

The Cummins Particulate Filter, designed and manufactured by Cummins Emission Solutions and introduced in 2007, will be the only aftertreatment required for Heavy-Duty engines in 2010. The engine and aftertreatment work together to further reduce particulate emissions.

Source: Cummins.com

Heavy truck traffic in Pennsylvania generates toll booth revenue

The Sentinel in Carlisle, Pennsylvania reports on how truck traffic is making big money for toll booths on a local stretch of road.

Truckers pay more tolls because of the size and weight of their vehicles. The road is home to warehouses and other shipping related businesses.

While the revenue is welcome, some local residents have mixed feelings about the number of trucks passing through and the amount of exhaust they produce. New emission control and idling control technologies could make the truck traffic cleaner.

Wal-mart strives to make trucks more fuel efficient and reduce emissions

MSNBC reports on how Wal-Mart is striving to make a difference with the enviroment by increasing the fuel efficiency of their trucks.

According to the story, Wal-Mart has already increased the fuel efficiency of their trucks by 15% and wants to make that 25% by the end of next year.

Wal-Mart projects that the increased efficiency would reduce emissions to the equivalent of taking 67,744 cars off the road.

Cleaner trucks could mean more truck sales

PressTelegram.com reports that the demand for cleaner trucks is changing how trucks are sold and could boost business for truck dealers and manufacturers.

Drivers and buyers are asking more questions about emission controls on new trucks. New regulations on truck pollution went into effect this year. Manufacturers have introduced new pollution control systems on new trucks to comply.

Economists predict that the replacement of older trucks could cost as much as $1.5 billion. Government grants could help defer some of the costs.

Liquefied natural gas fuels cleaner trucks at the Port of Oakland

Insidebayarea.com features a story on the introduction of 11 trucks at The Port of Oakland, California, that run off of liquefied natural gas trucks to reduce diesel emissions.

The Port of Oakland is the nation's fourth-largest port. All those trucks moving cargo mean lots of harmful diesel soot.

Trucks that run off liquefied natural gas, or LNG, are cleaner, but because they are not mass-produced they are not cheap. The trucks were made by Kenworth as a custom order, costing an extra $100,000 per truck.

Two trucking companies and the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. used $3 million-plus in grants to get the trucks rolling.