Impact of CO2 and ultra-low NOx legislation on commercial vehicle base engine

Abstract

Upcoming most stringent legislations for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) as well as for criteria pollutant emissions will confront the commercial vehicle industry with new challenges. The recently concluded 2nd phase of GHG regulation in North America demands a GHG reduction of up to 27% of for model year 2027 (MY2027) depending on the individual application. This regulation includes a dedicated reduction of CO₂ emissions from engines, e.g. in the magnitude of 5% for heavy heavy-duty tractor applications. At the same time, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced plans to introduce a 90% reduction of nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions compared to current levels (EPA10). In addition, EPA announced plans to lower the nationwide NOx standard. In Europe, a reduction of NO_x emission limits is a possible development for the future. A mandatory CO₂ declaration for heavy-duty vehicles will be in force in the EU from 2018. Based on the outcome of the monitoring, CO₂ limits could follow at a later stage.

Engine and vehicle manufacturers need to investigate possible approaches to be able to fulfill the upcoming most stringent regulations as well as being competitive in those two major markets.

It needs to be investigated to which extent new technologies are required, in parallel to a more evolutionary approach, and how the optimum future setting would look like.

The combination of technologies will highly depend on the targeted branding and the product positioning.

The product positioning will then determine the importance of attributes as product cost, weight, packaging and performance.