WARRENVILLE, Ill. — International Truck and Engine is the second engine maker to say no to SCR, which at one time was thought to be the consensus choice in meeting the 2010 heavy-duty engine emission standards.

The company announced that MaxxForce brand diesel engines will go without the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.

Instead, International intends to address 2010 requirements through advanced fuel system, air management, combustion and controls. In addition, no incremental NOx after-treatment beyond the current ’07 technology will be required on any core on-highway application in 2010.

Navistar says it will move forward by maintaining
core emissions systems currently in place.

Last month, Cummins also announced it would not adopt SCR, which is the technology of choice for meeting emissions regs in Europe. Volvo and DaimlerChysler’s Freightliner unit — both European based companies — are committed to SCR, which is an aftertreatment technology that involves electronic calibrations and the use of urea injection.

Critics say urea distribution will require a North American delivery infrastructure to be operationally mature when 2010 vehicles are on the road.

Although International has found SCR to be an effective way to meet 2010 emissions standards, it adds to the cost and complexity, the company insists.

“While SCR is a means to achieve the NOx reduction requirement for 2010, it comes with a steep cost to our customers,” said Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and CEO. “Our ability to achieve our goals without adding customer cost and inconvenience is a competitive advantage for International.”

International’s chosen approach “will best serve our core customers who value reduced product and service complexity as well as business planning continuity through another period of industry uncertainty,” added Jack Allen, president, International Engine Group. “Coming so soon after 2007 EPA standards, which mandated new engines and after-treatment systems that drove up the price of commercial vehicles, 2010 promises to be a less taxing time for International customers.”

Dr. Helmut Endres, vice president engineering and product development, says the solution will “be evident in not burdening customers with SCR after-treatment.”

MaxxForce is the signature brand of International on-highway Class 4 to Class 8 commercial truck engines. In North America, the MaxxForce product line ranges from a 4.5-liter V-6 to two new MaxxForce big-bore Class 8 engines that will launch in early 2008.