A new ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel has been developed in the US, which is 97% cleaner than the formula it replaces. The fuel has been developed by the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) and the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), and became available throughout the US on October 15.
Diesel trucks are responsible for moving 94% of America”s goods (about 18m tons per day), and diesel buses transport 14m people to and from work
or school every day. By filling up with the new, ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel, each truck or bus will instantly cut its emissions by 10 per cent.
The cleaner diesel, when combined with new and more energy efficient engines that are due to hit the American highways in January 2007, will reduce emissions by up to 95%.
Head of Natural Resources Defence Council Richard Kassel said: ”diesel is the invisible force that moves the American economy, but until now it has also been a big polluter. Combining the new fuel with cleaner and more energy-efficient engines will mean healthier air and help reduce our dependence on oil.”
Images: Above is the label the American Petroleum Institute recommends to identify new ultra-low sulfur clean diesel fuel pumps. To the right is a proprietary label used by BP at BP/Amoco fueling stations to identify ULSD fuel pumps. American consumers will see both at different fueling stations.