IS FORD'S V6 POWERSTOKE DIESEL GREEN ENOUGH?

An article appeared in the Detroit News last week <here> in which Ford suggested that the U.S. government should end federally mandated C.A.F.E. fuel ratings. Ford believes that it can achieve better results on a voluntary basis by setting their own standards.

This past April Ford announced that all of their F-Series trucks would be LEV (low emissions vehicles) beginning in 2000. Current federal law does not mandate that full size trucks be LEV in 2000; although, the F-Series trucks with a G.V.W. between 6000-8500lb must eventually meet car emissions standards.

ENTER Ford's new 4.5 liter PowerStroke diesel engine <article here> which will first only be available as an optional engine in the 2002 Expedition. The 2002 4.5 PowerStroke will be classified as a LEV (low emissions vehicle) under both federal and California state emission guidelines. In 2003 the 4.5 liter PowerStroke will become available in the F-Series and Econoline vans with G.V.W. of less than 8500lbs.

Ford's current plane is to have the F-Series trucks either below 2004 emissions mandated requirements or at LEV levels before any guidelines are even established.

"Corporations reflect society, and we recognize that today's consumer views good environmental performance as an essential part of being a good company," said Helen Petrauskas, Ford vice president.

Now here's where everything goes from GREEN to BLACK.

An internal Ford document regarding 2004 diesel emissions states "emission requirements cannot be achieved for 2004." It further goes on to read "Compliance by 2005 requires relief on NOx and pullahead of Particulate Filter aftertreatment, now being developed for 2007."

It does get better though. By 2007, four years after the engine is introduced the Ford internal document states "Sales of 6000-8500lb. diesel trucks stop in California, New York and Massachusetts (20% of volume)." Not too GREEN.

The two charts below detail Ford's North American truck emissions for 6000-8500lb. equipped with a diesel engine through 2010.

4.5 liter PowerStroke V-6 emissions summary:

2002. V6 diesel is introduced at a California LEV (low emissions vehicle) that is consistent with gasoline trucks. It will require a new catalyst technology and fast timing. See red graph above. Ford has a plan to reach the yellow graphed area in their research lab by November of 1999. The technology will appear in 2003, one year after the "baby diesel" is unveiled. Entry in 2002 as California LEV is difficult, but can be achieved.

2004. Federal phase into Tier II is more severe than California emissions standards. Emissions requirements cannot be achieved for 2004. Compliance by 2005 requires relief on NOx and pullahead of particulate filter aftertreatment, now being developed for 2007. 93% of all Ford vehicles must be recertified in 2004.

2007. California standards become too severe to be achieved with any known diesel technology. Sales of 6000-8000lb (baby diesel) trucks stop in California, New York and Massachusetts (20% of volume). Federal standards become more severe, but can be achieved due to NOx averaging with gasoline vehicles, and introduction of urea NOx catalysts for diesel applications.

EMISSIONS STANDARDS WITH PLANNED PHASE-IN SCHEDULE

* Further reduction of NOx requires use of a urea NOx catalyst, and introduction of a urea supply infrastructure. Phase in plans delay this step to as late as possible (2007).

* Reduction of particulate mass (pm) below level at 2002 V6 launch requires a particulate filter. Low sulfur fuel must be available and must be used.

* The Ford phase in plan is to introduce a particulate filter as soon as possible (2005) to achieve 2009 Federal Particulate requirements early. This is consistent with resolving any concern for toxins from diesels as quickly as possible.

* A urea supply system is required by 2007 to achieve NOx.

The complete Ford internal document with graphs and charts that this article was compiled from is available from us to members of the working media. For more information e-mail us here.

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