The Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) has developed a new diesel engine boasting over 45 per cent brake thermal efficiency.

The engine, announced at the recent Diesel Engine Emissions Reduction (DEER) conference in Chicago, meets the 2007 emissions regulations in the US.

DDC collaborated with the Department of Energy (DoE) in developing the technology, forming a platform for the next generation of engines, which will need to meet the 2010 regulations of 50 per cent thermal efficiency.

Commenting on the breakthrough, Carsten Reinhardt, president and chief executive officer of DDC, said: "In current production heavy-duty engines we usually see a brake thermal efficiency of about 41 or 42 per cent, so for us to demonstrate greater than 45 per cent efficiency as part of our advanced engineering effort is a significant achievement for Detroit Diesel.

"We are excited about the potential future results this project may yield."

The DoE and DDC came together under the Heavy Truck Engine project, which is an initiative between government and industry dating back to 2001 that aims to boost engine efficiency while also hitting future emissions standards.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd