Representatives of the six leading diesel engine manufacturers declared themselves "ready" this week to deliver the next generation of clean diesel technology by the beginning of 2007.

At an event hosted by the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), environmental leaders and industry executives discussed the readiness of the latest green diesel fuels and engines that do not emit sulphur.

By October this year, vendors in America will begin distributing clean diesel fuel, which produces 97 per cent less sulphur than standard diesel.

Executive director of the DTF, Allen Schaeffer, announced: "New trucks and buses will be the first class of equipment to benefit from clean diesel. While today's trucks and buses already produce only one-eighth the tailpipe exhaust compared to those built in 1990, new engines will be even cleaner.

"It will take 60 trucks built in 2007 to equal the soot emissions of one truck sold in 1988," he added.

To demonstrate that exhaust from their prototype vehicles produce no soot or smoke, Mr Schaeffer used white handkerchiefs, which were not stained by the emissions.

Commenting on the commitment to the environment, Patrick Charbonneau, vice president of Government relations at the International Truck and Engine Corporation, said: "We believe that the 2007 clean diesel engines, trucks and school buses are going to help change the way people see diesel."


Ÿ Adfero Ltd