Volvo cleans up engines to meet emission standards

Volvo has announced a brand new truck engine family in order to comply with North American environmental requirements, the Swedish automaker has announced.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has handed down tough new laws for truck emissions, which begin Jan. 1, 2007. Specifically, nitrogen oxide emissions have to be cut in half and particulate emissions must drop by at least 90 percent. In response, Volvo has plans to offer trucks packing even better versions of its existing Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, which is even now powering tens of thousands of trucks in North America.

“The new engine family will both improve air quality and make our customers more competitive,” says Peter Karlsten, President and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America.

The enhancements will increase the sticker price of Volvo trucks by US$7,500, the company said.