January 31, 2005

EPA and Ford working on clean diesel technology

Ann Arbor, Michigan - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ford Motor Company announced Phase II of their collaboration to develop Clean Diesel Combustion (CDC), a new emissions control technology that shows promise of meeting the EPA's tough Tier 2-bin 5 emissions standards for nitrous oxides and particulate matter (PM).

Using a European Ford Galaxy minivan, the EPA and Ford showcased how CDC technology improved the minivan's fuel economy by 30 to 40 percent over a similar gasoline-powered vehicle while demonstrating potential to meet the Tier 2-bin 5 emissions standards. Phase II of the Ford/EPA project will further refine the CDC technology and examine its commercial viability.

"Diesel engines are an extremely attractive technology to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The challenge has been to maintain the diesel's efficiency, while making the diesel ultra-clean in a cost effective manner," said EPA Assistant Administrator Jeff Holmstead. "Moving these types of innovative technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace is essential, if we are to continue to clean our air and meet EPA's future emissions standards."

"Clean diesel engine development is an important part of Ford Motor Company's global strategy to meet the future needs of our customers and the environment," said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company. "We are pleased to partner with the EPA in this effort, recognizing that our research results can help meet key challenges facing the automotive industry. Ford's collaboration with the EPA accelerates the development of technologies that will potentially enable the application of clean diesel engines across many vehicle platforms."

The EPA and Ford believe that CDC technology is another approach to meeting the agency's diesel emissions standards and improving fuel economy in cars, SUVs and trucks. It represents a combination of several innovative improvements in diesel fuel injection system performance, re-optimization and refinement of air management\turbo charging systems and a unique and improved combustion process.

More information about Clean Diesel Combustion technology is available on EPA's website at www.epa.gov/otaq/technology.

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