EPA Diesel Engine Laws

The information below is historical. Previously, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has used its regulatory authority to reduce emissions from traditional Diesel engines in the USA. Outside the US—especially since the 2015 Paris Climate Accord—regulations defining standards for maximum allowable emissions are being implemented globally.

The chart shows that ever more strict regulations for the emission of Particulate Matter (PM), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Non-Methane Hydrocarbons (NMHC) are planned for the future.

Calendar Year	PM reduction (Thousand short tons)	CO reduction (Thousand short tons)	NOx reduction (Thousand short tons	NMHC reduction (Thousand short tons)
2010	36	61	82	109
2015	317	691	982	1,290
2020	419	1,260	1,820	2,570
2030	21	54	83	115
2030	21	54	83	115




(Source: EPA Report: Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards and Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Requirements)


The Costs of Non-compliance

How many manufacturers of heavy-duty Diesel engines are currently in compliance with the upcoming standards? Zero. In an attempt to bring their existing engine technologies into compliance, manufacturers spend millions of dollars in development costs for after treatment fixes (filters, converters). These after treatments reduce engine reliability, efficiency and profitability. The ARB (California Air Resource Board) estimates that the total cost of compliance to affected trucking fleets will be between $3 billion and $3.4 billion (in 2006 dollars), spread over the years 2009 to 2030. The majority of costs are anticipated to occur between 2010 and 2021.
Click the link to: New Emissions Limits (Source: Construction Web Links)
Manufacturers whose engines do not meet EPA emissions standards are paying steep fines. To date, fines have ranged from $3,600 to $12,000 per engine. In 2012, fines are scheduled to be raised to $35,000 for each engine shipped that does not comply with the new standards. This is more than the sales price of most engines and is clearly not a sustainable business model.

The cost of fines, retooling, and manufacturing additional parts hurts manufacturers’ bottom line, so they raise prices to compensate for the losses. Manufacturers, consumers and the environment —each pays a steep price for emissions non-compliance.

An Economical And Environmental Solution

The ART Zajac Engine’s Complete Combustion process produces virtually no pollutants, and therefore has emissions that are well below the EPA’s standards for 2016 and beyond without the use of any additional costly after-treatments. Because of this advanced technology, manufacturers’ profits improve, end users pay less, and the environment realizes a positive impact. Now that’s a win-win-win solution.

News Articles

Read what Green Car Congress has to say about the Zajac Engine.
Click the link: Green Car Congress Article
Read Improving the Internal Combustion Engine: Zajac Motors by Eric Wesoff of Green Tech Media.
Click the link: Click the link: Green Tech Media