CAFE stds on the chopping block

ShinerBock wrote:
Very solid points. A good friend of mine were talking about this very same thing the other day with the 2010+ diesel regulations of .01 g/HP-hr PM and .2 g/HP-hr NOx and what it takes to get there compared to the 2004 emissions regulations of .2 g/HP-hr PM and 2.5 g/HP-hr NOx and what it takes for that.

We were debating whether the considerable drop in fuel economy in the truck itself, more fuel needing to be transported since more is being used, DEF manufacturing and transport logistics that come with it, the manufacturing of the plastic jugs for DEF along with their environmental impact, special catalysts that require more rare earth mining, and DPF's along with their cleaning equipment worth the difference in emissions standards. From what we gathered, it would probably be better to go back to the 2004 emissions standards, but that was based on what we know and not any hard data.

Definitely a reasonable debate, especially with the '07-'13 method of over-fueling in the exhaust cycle to burn off particulates in the DPF. That never made any sense to me.

The DEF and catalyst system is a bit of a different thing. There is a body of environmental research that points to CO2 as a greenhouse gas but it's not a totally concluded argument. Is it really the demon we make it out to be? Only time will truly answer that question.

However, there is significant research that has drawn pretty tight conclusions between negative health effects of NOx emissions and development of smog from NOx. A catalyzed reaction that converts NOx into N2 and H2O renders the harmful emissions inert. Is that a cost effective process considering the energy input to make and package DEF, transport it, make the systems in the trucks, and maintain them?? Probably not. But, this really isn't a question of efficiency but rather a process to remove something that is known to have direct negative effects.

I'm more in the camp that I don't mind the DEF system. I love the power of my diesel but I never cared for the older trucks with the diesel exhaust smell. In my truck I get the great power without the stink and noxious fumes. I'm okay with that one.

I would prefer it if the DEF suppliers would stop wrapping the bottles in cardboard. That's a total waste. Also, if the retailers would take back empty bottles for re-use that would be great too. Those two changes would help to minimize the impact.

KJ