Tier 4, the set of requirements established by the EPA to reduce harmful emissions from new diesel engines used in off-road equipment, has final stage compliance dates looming for engines from 75 to 750 horsepower. Larger engines have until 2015 to meet final compliance standards.

 

According to the Diesel Technology Forum, diesel engine emissions had already been progressively moving toward zero. Information from the DTF indicates that as manufacturers have redesigned their engines to meet Tier 4 requirements, they have been able to at the same time improve performance in areas such as peak torque, low-speed torque, fuel efficiency and even cold-weather starting.

Tier 4 Aftertreatment encompasses an alphabet soup of different exhaust modifying technologies that manufacturers can use, alone or in conjunction with each other, to make their engines comply with the new emissions standards.

EPA Estimates:
738,000 tons Annual emission reductions of nitrogen oxides once all older non-road engines are replaced by Tier 4 engines.

129,000 tons Annual emission reductions of particulate matter once all older non-road engines are replaced by Tier 4 engines.

12,000 The number of premature deaths by the year 2030 that will be prevented annually due to the implementation of the proposed standards.

1% - 3% The additional cost due to becoming Tier 4 compliant for the vast majority of equipment.

$.07 The average cost increase per gallon for low sulfur diesel fuel (15 ppm S fuel).

$.04 The amount that the cost per gallon increase would be reduced by anticipated savings in maintenance costs due to low sulfur diesel.