The Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) has announced that it will use exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filters on its heavy-duty engines to meet the EPA's 2007 emission standards.

The DDC will use EGR and diesel particulate filters on all its Series 60 and Mercedes-Benz engines, as well as a new heavy-duty engine being developed by DDC and parent company DaimlerChrysler, due for release in 2007.

DDC said 2007 EGR engines are already in development, and the company intends to operate vehicles with the 2007 engines by the end of this year.

"Detroit Diesel Corporation supports the goal of reduced emissions for heavy-duty trucks and intends to deliver engines that meet the 2007 regulations while providing the greatest possible overall performance and benefits for our customers," said Carsten Reinhardt, president and CEO of DDC.

The 2007 EPA standards require about 50 per cent reduction in NOx emissions and a 90 per cent reduction in particulate matter relative to the 2004 limits. EGR works by circulating cooled exhaust gas back into the engine air intake. This lowers combustion temperature and reduces the formation of NOx.

All manufacturers, including DDC, will use diesel particulate filters to meet the new PM standard. DDC had considered urea-SCR technology to reduce NOx from some of its engines, but finally opted for EGR because of customers' greater familiarity with the system and its ease of deployment. Urea-SCR remains a viable alternative for 2010, the truck company added.

DDC introduced EGR in certain urban bus engines in 2000, and applied the technology to all its engines since October 2002.

The company has built over 40,000 Series 60 engines with EGR, and the 2004 Mercedes-Benz engines are also equipped with EGR.

By 2007, there will be approximately 300,000 Detroit Diesel and Mercedes-Benz engines operating in North America utilizing EGR technology.