Caterpillar Affirms Commitment to Clean Power Technologies

As a leader in transportation and industrial power systems, Caterpillar is committed to making the products that help power and build what people need and, at the same time, protect the environment. Three goals form the foundation of this commitment. First is cleaning the air, or using advanced clean power technologies to achieve near zero emissions by 2010. Second is innovation to create better ways to reduce emissions, cut fuel usage and improve performance. Third is to deliver value by striving to give customers solutions that benefit their bottom line through performance, reliability, durability and low operating cost.

Most engine manufacturers have committed to diesel power for the foreseeable future, as it provides an efficient, cost-effective power source. Emissions reductions over the years have been significant—between 1998 and 2010 alone, both oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) will have been reduced by 98 percent. To lower both NOx and PM simultaneously, diesel manufacturers have had to invent new technologies and combustion strategies. Caterpillar has been a leader in this area with ACERT^® Technology, which has allowed the company to meet the 2002/2004 emissions standards with virtually no impact on fuel economy or reliability, according to James Parker, vice president, Caterpillar Power Systems Marketing Division.

"All diesel manufacturers are required to meet the latest EPA regulations, but Caterpillar is going above and beyond to develop technologies that are cleaner, more efficient, more practical and that provide the highest value to the people who use them," Parker said. "We're not waiting for standards to take effect—we're reaching out to the communities in which we operate to make a meaningful difference today."

Caterpillar is making considerable strides forward in several areas that positively impact the environment, as well as those who depend on diesel engines to operate their businesses. In addition to its on-highway application, ACERT Technology is being employed for emissions reduction in off-highway sectors, including power generation, construction equipment and marine. A new group at Caterpillar—the Environmental Technologies Group—has a mission to develop and produce environmentally friendly products, such as the new Cat^® diesel particulate filter for transit buses, retrofit engines and future emissions technologies for use on engines. Caterpillar also contributed $250,000 to an EPA grant for retro-fitting school buses with the latest in environmentally-friendly technology. Additionally, Caterpillar has worked to develop technologies that lower fuel usage—one example is MorElectric™, which significantly reduces idling in trucks by providing heating, cooling and accessory power while the vehicle is parked without idling the engine.

Engineers at Caterpillar continue to review many options for alternative power sources, including natural gas, biodiesel, fuel cells and hybrid diesel-electric. While some of these options make sense in specific applications, none have proven to be better than diesel in terms of engine life, operational costs and fuel infrastructure, according to Parker. "Caterpillar recognizes the need for clean, renewable energy sources, and we've dedicated significant resources to finding feasible solutions," he said.

"Our objective extends beyond meeting new emissions standards—we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products," Parker said. "We continue to pursue active research and development programs in each of these alternative energy sources, although diesel is still the best clean power source at this time."

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Issue 30 5/10/05
To learn more about Caterpillar On-Highway Engines, please visit:
http://www.cattruckengines.com/

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