Caterpillar completes EPA 2004 certification for on-highway line

Pit & Quarry, Feb, 2004

Caterpillar Inc. says it is the first engine manufacturer to offer a complete line of 2004 model year clean diesel engines that are fully compliant and certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 2004 regulations are more rigorous than the October 2002 standards, since engine manufacturers must demonstrate lower emissions for nearly double the miles of operation in heavy-duty, on-highway engines. Earlier this year, Caterpillar certified the C7, C9, C13, C15 and C9 transit bus engines, all sold in the on-highway truck and bus markets.

The final Caterpillar engine to earn EPA's 2004 certification is the C11, popular with customers who operate "vocational" class trucks used to transport heavier loads over shorter distances. These include grocery store fleets, fuel tanker trucks, refuse haulers and dump trucks. Full production of the engine, offered in the 305 to 370 horsepower range, will begin in the fourth quarter.

"Caterpillar is now the only engine manufacturer to offer a full product family of 2004 engines that are both EPA-certified and compliant," says Richard L. Thompson, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for the company's engine division.

ACERT is a differentiated technology that reduces emissions at the point of combustion. The technology capitalizes on Caterpillar's experience in engine electronics, fuel injection systems, combustion technology and aftertreatment. All Caterpillar on-highway truck and bus engines are equipped with ACERT technology for 2004 production.

The technology will also be used as a foundation to meet future emissions regulations for the company's entire diesel engine product line, including construction and mining machines, and power generation units.