Ford to test new diesel technology

Ford Motor signed an agreement with US EPA to try and develop prototype of a new diesel engine, for commercial use.

Ford Motor Company has signed an agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to try and develop prototype of a new diesel engine, an EPA invention, for commercial use.

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Diesel is 25-40 per cent more efficient than gasoline, but currently just one per cent of the American passenger vehicles use diesel.

Ford and EPA announced the agreement on Friday at EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they showcased a Ford Galaxy minivan to demonstrate the 'Clean Diesel Combustion' (CDC) technology - developed by EPA.

The diesel minivan got 30-40 per cent better mileage than a gasoline minivan, while meeting EPA's emission standards for nitrogen oxide, EPA researchers claimed.

Accordingly, the new technology prevents by-production of nitrogen oxide during the combustion.

"Diesel engines are an extremely attractive technology to help achieve EPA's future emissions standards," said EPA's Jeff Holmstead.

"Moving these types of innovative technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace is essential, if we are to continue to improve air quality for all Americans," he added.

Ford's vice-president Dr. Gerhard Schmidt said that clean diesel engine development was an important part of Ford Motor Company's global strategy "to meet the future needs of customers and the environment".