[IMAGE]VolvoEPA10EmissionsControlSystem-full.jpg[/IMAGE]Volvo’s D13 engines have been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as meeting upcoming EPA2010 diesel emissions standards.

This means that with the continued use of the Volvo D13 engine, Prevost will maintain their essential service to the nation, but with a much smaller environmental impact, according to a statement issued by the company.

Volvo is the first manufacturer to have its heavy-duty diesel engines certified for 2010 by both EPA and CARB. These engines have been fully certified to meet EPA’s stringent standards without the use of emissions credits.

Volvo’s emissions technology for EPA2010 does more than cut emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) to near-zero levels. Using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to reduce NOx, Volvo improved fuel economy and reduced emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2. This fights global warming and reduces dependence on imported petroleum. The Volvo solution for 2010 eliminates active regenerations of the diesel particulate filter (DPF), which saves additional fuel and requires no input from the operator, company officials said.

EPA’s certification of the D13 is another milestone in Volvo’s history as a manufacturer of heavy-duty diesel engines. The Volvo engine plant in Hagerstown, Md., is already building EPA2010 engines and is fully on track for large-scale production next year.

All engines produced after January 1, 2010 must meet the new standards. Volvo has extensive experience with SCR technology, having accumulated five million miles with 50 test vehicles in customer field test fleets in North America. Volvo also has billions of miles of real-world experience with SCR in other markets.

The SCR system was added to the existing D13 engine platform used in the North American Truck Industry since 2007 and already well known for its low end performance, smooth, quiet operation and high fuel economy.