Scania's new engines meet tough Japanese emission standard

Scania's new engines has already been certified for the demanding Japanese NLT standard. The new engines pave the way for fulfilment of forthcoming emission requirements during the next decade. They also meet the Japanese fuel economy standard that makes operators entitled to a 2 percent tax reduction.

Scania recently launched a range of inline engines with several new technologies and innovations that meet Euro 5 requirements without the need for aftertreatment and without any fuel penalty. Two of the new engines fitted with maintenance-free particulate filters also meet the tougher European EEV regulations.

Two versions of the 13-litre engine have been certified for Japan (BKG class) – 420 and 470 hp – both equipped with a maintenance-free particulate filter to reduce particulate emissions.

The engines also comply with Japan’s fuel economy legislation – a worldwide first initiative introduced in 2005 to curb Japan’s CO2 emissions. The legislation stipulates an overall improvement in fuel economy per manufacturer between 2002 and 2015, with penalties for those that fail to comply by 2015. The approximate improvement in fuel economy for the top-level manufacturers in 2002 compared to 2015 is 12%. Compliance currently gives a two percent tax deduction for new trucks.

The Japanese emission regulation NLT, New Long Term, is mandatory for heavy-duty vehicles from September 2007. In terms of limit values NLT, Euro 5 (EU) and EPA 07 (US) do not differ much, but the three test cycles are widely different, making engine optimisation a unique process for each of them.

Driving conditions in Japan, with frequent congestion and moderate cruising and average speeds, has led to greater focus on light load conditions in the legislation. Driving sequences similar to idling and low-speed crawling figure prominently in the test cycle to emulate conditions on Japanese roads.

The European test cycle involves frequent variations in load and speed, whereas the US cycle is dominated by high-speed cruising, typically encountered on US highways.

On the Japanese market Scania is represented by Hino and its sales and service network. Owned by the Toyota Group, Hino is the leading truck manufacturer in Japan. Exports are mainly targeted at Asian markets and are being developed in the US and some Latin American markets, as well as to some extent in UK and Ireland. Hino medium-duty trucks are sold in South Korea via the Scania network. The strategic cooperation agreement between Scania and Hino dates back to 2002.