LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Volvo Trucks has announced its solution to the upcoming emissions standards coming into place this October.

The truckmaker will use exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology in its V-Pulse system to ensure the emissions standards are met by the deadline this fall.

Field testing has been ongoing for some time, and the media and potential customers got their first glimpse at the system at the Mid-America Trucking Show yesterday.

“For us, it is a very simple solution,” says Jim Fancher, product marketing manager with Volvo Trucks. “We are going to use the natural energy in the engine.”

The V-Pulse system uses injection reshaping to ensure the Nox levels are reduced to acceptable levels, and the company is confident there will be few side effects.

“We are able to maintain our fixed geometry turbo charger,” says Fancher. He does admit, however, there will be some compromise in terms of fuel efficiency, but he insists that problem will plague all engine manufacturers.

“I cannot tell you what our actual fuel economy is, but I am fairly confident all engines will experience fuel economy degradation,” says Fancher. He adds a two to five per cent decrease in fuel efficiency will probably be realized by all engines under the new standards.

Cummins engines are common in many Volvo tractors, and Ed Pence, vice-president of OWM business with Cummins, was on-hand to ensure customers that Cummins is also prepared for the looming deadline.

“At Cummins, we’re ready to meet the toughest standards for our customers and the environment,” says Pence.

EGR technology will be used by Cummins, and the manufacturer is confident it will be the first engine maker to meet the new standards.

“We’ve maintained a consistent course over the past couple of years,” says Pence.