To 2014....and BEYOND!!!!

While it is not yet 2013, the 2014 emissions regulations will be showing up in the 2013 engines from most manufacturers. In fact Peterbilt has started building trucks equipped with 2014 level engines on a "ramp up" basis.

The 2014 emissions are "greenhouse gas" based i.e. manufacturers (truck makers) must start reducing the Grams per Mile of the greenhouse emissions and to do this they are tasked with several challenges. First the percentage of DEF used will increase from the current 2-4% to 4-6% percent of fuel burned. As current DEF useage is dependant upon load, type of driving, etc. the point is the DEF useage percentage will go up 2-3% over current levels in a comparable use situation. The upside? Engine manufacturers expect an equal or greater increase in fuel mileage so net cost will be offset or improved. There are additional sensors in the DPF/SCR units to measure DEF quaility (Thank International and their lawsuit....of course now THEY are going SCR...go figure!) as well as sensors to measure the ammonia level as the DEF degrades in the SCR and to measure emissions before the tailpipe, this will allow the computer to adjust and keep the gases in specification.

The 2014 engines are tuned to cruise at lower RPMs, the sweet spots are 100-250 lower than current setups and of course gearing will be adjusted accordingly. I would expect to see taller rear ratios and more direct top gears to reduce the drivetrain drag losses that overdrives have.

There is a fuel mileage standard that the federal government is phasing in to take full effect by 2017 model year. The net goal is 10 MPG for a road tractor at 80K gross. This will require powertrain improvements, aerodynamic improvements, tire resistance improvements, etc. There will be a "points" system and manufacurers must meet a points goal to avoid fines of up to $30,000 per truck. Vocational trucks (i.e. dumps, etc.) will have the lowest goals with type of use determining what goals must be met. Highway tractors have the highest goals. Maunfacturers can start earning points to bank now by selling fuel efficent tires on rigs, aero packages, etc. This will allow manufacturers to "bank" points to apply against units that will not meet the standards.

The bottom line to you? Expect less choice in tires, ratios, and such. There is a good chance road tractors will be shipped with a 65 MPH limiter....a hard limiter that cannot be turned up by a dealer! APUs will be virtually mandatory to purchase on most sleeper tractors, aero skirts and such will be required. And for all of those "long and tall" fans you will likely see the end of the traditional style tractor. Possibly no more 389s, Freightliner Classics, etc. if it can't meet the aero drag standards, it will likely not be offered as it will drag down the points of the manufacturer.

Fair warning, the times they are a changing (apologies to Dylan) and those who will not change with them will be left on the side of the road.

 

Unless there is radical breakthough by then, DEF is here for the foreseeable future.

 

No, so far Gliders are not part of this.