New EPA ’07 engine testing program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new in-use testing program for highway diesel truck and bus engines that uses a portable device to measure emissions during normal use from fleets and owners.

The device will specifically measure hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter and will be used in a nationwide program involving 2007 model year diesel trucks. This month the program will begin with a pilot program in which engine manufacturers will recruit voluntary test vehicles from fleets or owners.

This program advances testing procedures from earlier methods of physically removing the engine to test emissions, EPA said.

EPA also announced its update of test procedures to reflect current portable emission measurement technology. This rule also creates unified testing requirements for all engines to streamline laboratory efforts for EPA and the engine industry, EPA said.

For more information on the testing program, go to www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm#inuse. For information on the revised testing procedures, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm#tech.