Navistar to offer clean diesel school buses in 2001

17 May 2000

International Truck and Engine Corporation (Navistar) announced that it will produce a school bus next year that features an engine with diesel's power and with low emissions once thought possible only with alternative fuel.

At a demonstration at Don Bosco Technical Institute in east Los Angeles, the company said that International® Green Diesel Technology™ will be made available in summer 2001 on the International rear engine school bus with an International 530E engine.

Patrick E. Charbonneau, vice president of engine engineering for International's engine group said the Green Diesel Technology school bus will have a 275 horsepower International diesel engine equipped with a catalyzed diesel particulate filter and fueled with ultra-low-sulfur fuel of under 15 ppm sulfur content. Several oil companies have already committed to produce ultra-low-sulfur fuel. Centrally fueled fleet customers with access to ultra-low-sulfur fuel can order the buses for delivery in the summer of 2001.

According to Charbonneau, International's new technology will save school bus customers money when compared to alternative fuel options. “In California and around the country, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to provide our customers with a diesel product that accelerates clean air solutions,” he explained. “Diesel fuel is the choice for the long-term because it is safe and economical, and it already has a delivery infrastructure in place. Now, our advanced diesel technology combined with the availability of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel can meet the demands of our bus customers who are faced with new emissions requirements or demands to switch to other fuels.”

Demonstrations of International's particulate filter equipped Green Diesel Technology showed particulate emissions reduction of over 90%, to levels 50% lower than the best compressed natural gas engine. With low sulfur fuel International has demonstrated particulate emissions of 0.005 grams per g/bhp-hr. Hydrocarbons were reduced below measurable levels, eliminating the odor often associated with diesel engines.

Charbonneau also noted that current diesel engines emit approximately 40% less carbon dioxide, which is linked directly to global warming, than their gasoline counterparts. Additionally, diesel engines get 40% to 60% better fuel economy. “With ultra-low-sulfur fuel, diesel engines can be the solution to clean air concerns,” Charbonneau said.

Source: Navistar International Corporation