Eaton Products Help Heavy-Duty Vehicles Meet Forthcoming EPA Emissions Standards

Power management company Eaton offers products to help heavy-duty vehicles meet the potential new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission regulations recently outlined in the organization's Advance Notice of Proposed Rule (ANPR) on emission standards.

The ANPR, released on January 6, 2020, describes plans to establish new emission standards for nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other pollutants for highway heavy-duty engines. It also details opportunities to streamline and improve certification measures to reduce costs for engine manufacturers. This proposal is part of the EPA's Cleaner Trucks Initiative, which Eaton publicly announced its support for in 2018.

Eaton's Vehicle Group has developed several innovative technologies that reduce both NOx and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in commercial and passenger vehicles, and recently proved in existing and proposed regulatory test cycles that its cylinder-deactivation (CDA) technology is a cost-effective path to simultaneously reduce both types of emissions.

Tests of the CDA technology conducted on heavy-duty diesel engines by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas, resulted in an up to 86 percent NOx reduction and three to eight percent CO2 reduction, depending on the test cycle. The results, which show similar levels of real-world fuel economy improvement, are representative of the new low-load in-use compliance regulations.

"Eaton is investing significant resources in advanced technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce criteria pollutants," said Mihai Dorobantu, director, Technology Planning and Government Affairs, Eaton's Vehicle Group. "Together with our testing, manufacturing scale and channels to market, we are a serious partner for original equipment manufacturers, end-customers and regulatory agencies."

Additional products that will meet forthcoming emissions standards include Eaton's new TVS® EGR pump, which is a key enabler for novel high-efficiency turbocharging techniques that lower engine pumping losses and increase fuel economy.

"Our engine air management product portfolio includes variable valve actuation to enhance aftertreatment control and TVS® air management solutions that provide precise air control for clean and efficient combustion," said Dorobantu.

Additionally, Eaton's eMobility business provides zero-emissions solutions for electrified vehicles, including intelligent power electronics, power systems, and advanced power distribution and circuit protection technologies.

Eaton is a power management company with 2018 sales of $21.6 billion. We provide energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. Eaton has approximately 101,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit Eaton.com.