Nov 24, 2009 8:59 AM

Talon Logistics Inc took delivery of the first EPA2010-certified customer production truck from Volvo Trucks North America recently. The Volvo VN is certified without the use of credits to the EPA’10 diesel emissions standards, which require near-zero emissions. Two more EPA’10-certified Volvo VNs have been delivered since and Talon has ordered a total of 23 EPA’10 Volvo trucks to date.

Volvo says it is the first truck manufacturer to have its heavy-duty diesel engines certified for 2010 by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board.

Talon Logistics, working with Volvo Trucks, has been a pioneer in field-testing advanced emission control technologies. For the past seven years, the two companies have tested selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems in real-world operation in Talon’s fleet. The company also inaugurated Volvo Trucks’ EPA’10 customer field testing in September 2007. Talon’s trucks have accumulated about 6.5 million miles of SCR field testing since 2002. Talon is the transportation division of Giant Eagle Inc, a Pittsburgh PA-based grocery chain with stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.

SCR is a way to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) to the near-zero levels demanded by EPA’10 for all heavy-duty diesel engines built after January 1, 2010. Volvo’s SCR technology for EPA’10 has accumulated more than 5 million miles of testing in customer fleets in North America (including Talon), as well as billions of miles of everyday use in other markets. In addition to delivering near-zero emissions, Volvo has improved fuel economy and eliminated active regenerations of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) for EPA’10.

Talon’s EPA’10 Volvo VN Daycabs are powered by Volvo D13 engines with 405 horsepower, 1,450 lb-ft of torque, and Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmissions. The D13 has been used by North American customers since 2007. All Volvo engines meet the EPA’10 standard without emissions credits.