Decisive Battles for Clean-Diesel Fuels, Technology coming soon

Diesel Fuel News, Jan 7, 2002

The year 2002 is bound to go down in history as a turning point for the future of diesel fuels, vehicles and engines, thanks to critical conflicts about to boil over:

1. U.S. Appeals Court will decide the fate of the oil industry's challenge to U.S. EPA's ultra-tough 2006/7 highway diesel fuels/emissions regulations. Evidence of a viable PM/NOx trap will be critical. Look for a decision later this year.

2. U.S. EPA will unveil proposed "Tier 4" non-road diesel regulations later this year, expected to match the very tough limits of highway diesel regulation. Technology development and deadlines are critical. Implications are worldwide.

3. Europe will finalize ultra-clean diesel fuels and related standards later this year, with a 10-ppm sulfur limit expected between 2005-2009.

4. Greater Asia's battles over air pollution and economic development will focus ever more on cleaning up diesel, especially in big cities.

5. Latin America, Middle East and Africa will start to move along the ultra-low sulfur diesel path.