Heavy-duty faces heavy challenges

Engine and truck makers are busy developing technologies to satisfy more stringent EPA emissions rules to take effect in 2007.

Strict new governmental regulations regarding emissions is a subject occupying large amounts of space in the minds of engineers and executives in the heavy-duty truck and heavy-duty truck engine businesses.

Meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2007 mandate is a challenge worthy of all the brain activity being devoted to it inasmuch as it is “one of the bigger- maybe even the largest-changes that the industry has seen” in the last quarter century, said Peterbilt Motors Co. Chief Engineer Craig Brewster. In addition to helping the company find the right combination of technologies to meet the mandate, he is also helping to organize this month's SAE International Truck & Bus Meeting & Exposition (see sidebar for details). Brewster is slated to appear on a panel devoted to the subject of emissions.