GM may implement urea injection on diesels by 2009
As we mentioned in our write-up on GM's revised Duramax, the company showed journalists a prototype light-truck implementation of urea injection. Such technology allows for the reduction of NOx emissions, but the EPA has been hesitant to approve it. GM may be moving forward with it anyways, as 2009 emission rules for light trucks require that diesels burn as cleanly as gasoline engines. The alternative is a particulate trap, which hasn't yet demonstrated the required durability. Urea injection requires an occasional refill, but I'd personally be happy to take on an additional maintenance task in exchange for a vast improvement in fuel economy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rollie demay 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
"An ammonia baised acid like material"---isn't that pee? Not quite a "tiger in your tank", but times do change, I guess. If this is all it takes, we could run a tube from the driver straight to the engine compartment, right? So much for "rest stops" on the interstate. God, I love technology!
Reply
goat 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
2009 emission rules for light trucks require that diesels burn as cleanly as gasoline engines
This is misleading. The rules require that diesels burn more cleanly than gasoline engines, since diesels already put out less CO. The rules are geared towards gasoline engines.
Reply
Angus Dykman 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
I don't know a thing about this technology or if it even works, however I am completely in support of peeing into your car.
Reply
md 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Does urea really have a negative environmental impact if it is spilled other than maybe a little dead grass? If not, what's up with the EPA's decision about this stuff?
Reply
Brandon 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Urea does come from pee, so that's awesome. Now when somebody gets pissed at me (yes that's a pun) and they pee in my gas tank I will have to thank them!
Reply
Michael 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
It's like Waterworld!! Ok, not really.
Reply
required 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Clearly the AutoWeek staff writer failed his remedial science class. Ammonia is a base, not an acid.
Reply
Richard Massengill 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Just imagine, all those truck drivers that release "trucker bombs" will finally get to feel good about helping to clean up the environment. They will be able to piss in their tank instead of in a bottle that's tossed out the window.
Reply