Achates Power proposes EPA/NHTSA medium- and heavy-duty engine standard require 15% decrease in fuel consumption and emissions
10 September 2015
Achates Power, Inc., the developer of a family of efficient compression-ignition opposed-piston two-stroke (OP2S) engines (earlier post), proposed more stringent engine fuel efficiency and emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles at a recent public hearing held by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles – Phase 2”.
Earlier this year, NHTSA and EPA jointly announced the proposed Phase 2 standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. (Earlier post.) While these vehicles as a whole will have to curb fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 24% between the 2018 and 2027 model years, the agencies are proposing separate engine standards requiring only a 4% decrease.
We support the EPA’s intent to establish standards based not only on currently available technologies, but also based on technologies now under development or not yet widely deployed. We view the proposed engine standard, however, as too modest—so modest that it may not achieve the agencies’ explicit objective of spurring advanced technology deployment. We propose an engine standard requiring a 15 percent decrease in fuel consumption and emissions. That goal is not only attainable with the technology we have already demonstrated but is, in fact, our plan,
—Laurence Fromm, Achates Power Vice President of Business and Strategy Development
The Achates engine is currently addressing these standards by offering demonstrated advantages in cleanliness, efficiency, cost and weight. The company’s opposed-piston internal combustion engine design does not require the adoption of costly infrastructure upgrades, vehicle modifications or a change in fleet operations. It is lighter, smaller and up to 10% less costly than its traditional counterpart.
There are many advanced technologies available to truck manufacturers, but all cost more—sometimes substantially more. By adopting the Achates engine, OEMs can meet the 2027 goals with a solution that costs less than today’s engine.
—David Johnson, Achates Power president and CEO
As demonstrated through more than 6,000 hours of dynamometer testing, the Achates Power engine addresses proposed efficiency targets by providing a 20 to 30 percent in fuel economy over current advanced diesel engines. The Achates Engine is EPA 2010 and Euro VI compliant.
In comparison to engines featuring traditional internal combustion design, the Achates engine offers a significant leap forward in fuel economy with reduced emissions. Achates has made excellent progress in adapting its engine to be scalable and adaptable for a variety of applications.
—David Merrion, Achates Power technical advisory board member and retired Detroit Diesel executive vice president of engineering
The engine is also suited for passenger vehicles, Achates suggested, and would help achieve the 2025 CAFE requirements. (Earlier post.)
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