Truck Makers Await Judge's Ruling On Request To Delay Oct. 2002 'Consent Decree' Low-NOx Engines

Diesel Fuel News, May 28, 2001

Truck Manufacturers Association says it's still awaiting a ruling from a U.S. District Judge on its intervention petition in U.S. EPA & Justice Department's settlement agreement with six diesel engine makers over alleged "off-cycle" excess NOx emissions. TMA says it needs a delay or possible other modifications of the October 2002 low-NOx engine deadline because many of its members need about two years to test the new engines before putting their new trucks on the market.

Some engine makers have claimed the engines will be ready for October 2002 but TMA members say they've yet to be given prototypes to allow testing to be sure that's really the case. Detroit Diesel (DDC) also asked EPA for a delay, in exchange for providing even cleaner engines later (see Diesel Fuel News3/5/2001, p8). Cummins opposes that idea.