Feb 1, 2003 12:00 PM

Spencer Abraham, United States Secretary of Energy, has announced a new vision and major enhancements to the federal government's 21st Century Truck Initiative. The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) applauded the public-private partnership for working to increase the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty vehicles.

The 21st Century Truck Initiative involves several federal agencies, including the US Army, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Transportation. From industry, 16 companies are collaborating on this initiative including DTF members Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, General Motors, Honeywell, and Eaton.

Under the new phase of the 21st Century Truck Initiative, the federal government and partner companies will engage in joint research, design, and development of energy-saving technologies such as advanced combustion engines, hybrid drives, and idle reduction. These technologies then will be applied to production or retrofitting of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to make diesel technology cleaner and more efficient.

The latest heavy-duty diesel highway trucks emit one-eighth the emissions of trucks manufactured a decade ago. By 2007, engine makers, fuel refiners, and manufacturers of exhaust control devices will have virtually eliminated emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from new trucks and buses, according to the DTF.