Retrofit: Clean Options for Fleetswe all want cleaner air...
What you can do to reduce diesel emissions in your fleet
Retrofits are often assumed to include only the installation of emission control devices (ECDs). However, the term retrofit actually refers to a suite of diesel emission reduction options. The term retrofit not only includes ECDs but also the early replacement of diesel vehicles, rebuilding diesel engines, repowering diesel vehicles and using cleaner fuels. Please select one of the options below to learn more about these clean solutions.
The installation of emission control devices to reduce diesel emissions is a cost effective retrofit option. These devices can be installed on most legacy diesel exhaust systems. Common types of control devices include: diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters. For more information about these technologies and other emissions control devices please visit: http://www.meca.org/diesel-retrofit/what-is-retrofit. The GaDER program started in 2004 retrofitting school buses. Only equipment verified by the US EPA or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is used within the GaDER program.
Sometimes replacing an entire vehicle may be the best option for a vehicle that is nearing the end of its useful life or was manufactured before stringent emissions standards were in place. Replacing a vehicle before its scheduled time is called early vehicle replacement. Our program requires that the vehicles to be replaced be a pre-2007 engine vehicle that is not scheduled to be replaced within the next 2 years. The vehicle purchased to replace the older vehicle must meet a 2010 or newer emissions standard. The new vehicle can also be an alternative fueled vehicle.
Diesel engines are often capable of being rebuilt to cleaner emissions standards. Most manufactures can supply rebuilt engines or rebuild kits to their customers. This option is often used in high mileage/idle operations where the wear and tear on the engine far exceeds the wear and tear on the vehicle.
Repowering a vehicle is the process of removing the engine from the vehicle and replacing it with a cleaner emission engine or an alternative fuel engine. This option is mostly used in larger diesels such as locomotive, mine and quarry equipment, or marine equipment. Replacement can include substituting a cleaner highway engine for a nonroad engine. Repowers often require some re-engineering work due to differences in size and configuration. Typically there are benefits in fuel efficiency, reliability, warranty, and maintenance costs as well as lower emissions.