Diesel vehicles produce about 60 per cent of the particulate matter emitted by road transport and are increasing as a proportion of the total vehicle fleet. By 2015 it is expected diesel vehicles will represent 15 per cent of the total national fleet (up from 9 per cent).
The Diesel National Environment Protection Measure (diesel NEPM) was introduced by the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) in June 2001. The diesel NEPM provides guidelines for a range of programs to reduce pollution from in-service diesel vehicles. It complements new vehicle emission and fuel quality standards.
The NEPM includes guidelines for:
- Smoky vehicle programs.
- Emissions test and repair programs.
- An audited maintenance program for diesel vehicles.
- Diesel vehicle retrofit programs.
The Diesel NEPM was developed after research showed that effective regular maintenance considerably reduced emissions from diesel vehicles, including older vehicles. The details of the research can be found at the NEPC website http://www.ephc.gov.au/taxonomy/term/69
NSW is leading the implementation of the diesel NEPM.
RTA Emissions Testing and Maintenance Program
A major achievement under the program has been the development of an effective in-service diesel emissions test, known as the DT80 test. The test checks levels of opacity, particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen in diesel exhaust.
With funding support from the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, the RTA has tested emissions from approximately 3,000 trucks and buses in a voluntary program with private and government fleets. The worst performing vehicles were repaired and retested with an average exhaust emission reduction of 25 per cent. Retesting vehicles also enabled the RTA to identify the elements of maintenance that have the greatest impact on emission levels.
Emissions can be affected by:
- Fuel quality – Fuel must be free of contamination and meet national fuel quality standards. Contaminated fuel affects the performance of fuel filters and injectors.
- Engine settings - Engines and emission control systems on diesel vehicles must be set to manufacturers’ specifications, particularly fuel pumps and injection timing.
- Maintenance schedules and methods- Vehicles need to be maintained and serviced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, or to equivalent standards.
- Fault identification and repair - Unless a method for identifying, recording, assessing and acting on reported faults is in place faults can lead to increased emissions and fuel consumption. Fuel and oil consumption should be monitored and checks made for excessive smoke.
Maintenance guidelines have been developed from the above research and form the basis of the RTA’s Clean Fleet Program for diesel vehicle maintenance.
The Commonwealth’s Fuel Tax Credit Scheme provides incentives for diesel vehicles that meet certain requirements. To be eligible your vehicles must pass a DT80 test or participate in the RTA’s Clean Fleet Program or another approved maintenance program. For pre-1996 trucks, you may be eligible to claim a tax credit rate of 18.51 cents per litre. For more information visit the Australian Tax Office website.
Diesel Emissions Training Course
In conjunction with TAFE NSW the RTA has developed a diesel emissions training course. The course offers practical advice on the causes of diesel pollution and how emissions can be reduced.
More information on the course and how to enrol.
NSW Diesel Retrofit Program
The Diesel Retrofit Program aims to reduce emissions of heavy diesel vehicles operating in the Sydney Greater Metropolitan area by fitting emissions-reducing devices to the exhaust systems of existing trucks.
With funding support from the Commonwealth and the Department of Environment and Climate Change the RTA has been retrofitting devices to diesel trucks.
Three types of emission control devices have been used:
- Diesel Oxidation Catalysts
- Diesel Particulate Filters or
- Partial Particle Filters.
Diesel oxidation catalysts are the lowest cost devices. They reduce particle emissions by approximately 30 per cent and improve air quality without any adverse effect on the maintenance or efficiency of the vehicles involved.
Diesel particulate filters are the most expensive devices but can achieve particle reduction rates of over 90 per cent. To ensure proper operation these devices can only be used in trucks operating under heavy loads with resulting high exhaust temperatures. Partial particle Traps are now available which are not as temperature sensitive as particulate filters and are less expensive. They can reduce particulate emissions by approximately 50 per cent.
As at July 2008, 71 fleets had participated in the program and 365 vehicles had been fitted with these devices.
A co-contribution style retrofit program- where both the NSW government and the vehicle operator contribute to the cost of the device is now being implemented. The cost of the devices range from $3,500 to $12,000.
Diesel Retrofit Demonstration Program – Port Botany
Road transport operators based at Port Botany are invited to take part in a free diesel retrofit demonstration program during 2009/10. The program involves the fitting of partial particle traps on the exhausts of up to 20 pre-2002 diesel trucks operating from Port Botany. These devices can reduce a diesel trucks emissions by approximately 50 per cent.
There will be no financial cost to operators that take part in the program in regards to the purchase and the fitting of the devices which can be scheduled to take place during non-operating periods. Participants in the program may be required to make their truck available for emissions testing. The program is only open to operators working at Port Botany’s container terminal and bulk liquids precinct.
This program is fully funded by the RTA and supported by Sydney Ports Corporation. If you would like further information about the program, please contact Warren Telfer on 02 8588 5527 or Warren_TELFER@rta.nsw.gov.au.
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