The US clean diesel industry is gathering momentum as it targets major emissions reductions ahead of new regulations governing exhaust fumes.

Now representatives of the industry, under the auspices of the Diesel Technology Forum, are seeking more funding to ensure that progress can be maintained.

The group today issued support for the US Environment Protection Agency-sponsored 'West Coast Diesel Emissions Reduction Collaborative', a public-private drive to boost funding in the sector.

Events across the US have been staged this week in order to highlight the clean technology, with new projects explored and future long-term aims outlined.

Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, hailed the progress made so far: "From the start of this effort in June, participants have offered creative ideas and looked to proven, cost-effective strategies for reducing diesel emissions."

"America's diesel industry has poured immense investments into technologies and innovations that today deliver diesel-powered trucks and buses that produce eight times lower emissions than those built just 15 years ago," he went on.

"Today, thanks to the innovation of the diesel industry, retrofit technology is more mature, cleaner fuels are more available, and there are more success stories than ever before. With a substantial commitment to funding - which is a primary goal of the collaborative - there is an opportunity to achieve even greater success."

Mr Schaeffer predicts that commercial diesel engines will produce near-zero emissions as a result of cleaner fuels and advances in engine technology by 2007.