Why the heavy-duty truck industry faces significant challenges with emissions systems

When after-treatment systems were first introduced in 2007, manufacturers told truck owners that they would last over half a million miles before needing service.

This turned out to be very far from the truth.

15+ years later, the industry is still struggling with emissions systems. Not only do they require more costly repairs than predicted, but their failure also leads to unplanned downtime.

JIETE has been maintaining after-treatment systems since the very beginning, and we've learned a lot.

The heavy-duty truck industry faces significant challenges with emissions systems. Here are some key reasons why:

Technical Complexities:

• Diesel engines, the dominant power source, inherently produce high levels of pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). Controlling these emissions requires complex exhaust after-treatment systems, like catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which can be expensive and prone to malfunction.

• Engine optimization for both emissions reduction and performance can be a delicate balancing act. Achieving stringent emission standards often comes at the cost of fuel efficiency and power output, leading to trade-offs for manufacturers and trucking companies.

• Heavy-duty trucks operate under diverse real-world conditions, from stop-and-go traffic to highway cruising. Exhaust after-treatment systems need to adapt to these constantly changing scenarios to stay effective, presenting a significant engineering challenge.

Regulatory Pressures:

• Stringent emissions regulations like the recent US EPA rule and EU CO2 standards are forcing rapid advancements in emissions control technology. This puts pressure on manufacturers to invest heavily in research and development, increasing the cost of vehicles.

• The transition towards zero-emission technologies like electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks adds another layer of complexity. While promising for long-term emission reduction, these technologies face challenges in terms of infrastructure, range, and affordability.

Economic Considerations:

• The initial cost of new trucks with advanced emissions systems is higher than older models. This can be a barrier for smaller trucking companies and fleet operators, leading to slower adoption of cleaner technologies.

• Fuel efficiency improvements from emissions systems may not always offset the higher purchase price and potential maintenance costs. This can impact the profitability of trucking companies, making them hesitant to invest in cleaner trucks.

Other Contributing Factors:

• Limited availability of low-carbon fuels like renewable diesel can hinder efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty trucks.

• A lack of skilled technicians trained to service and repair advanced emissions systems can also pose a challenge.

Despite these challenges, the heavy-duty truck industry is actively working on solutions. Innovations in engine technology, alternative fuels, and electric trucks are showing promise. Ongoing research and development, coupled with supportive policies and investments, are crucial for the industry to overcome these hurdles and achieve cleaner transportation in the future.