MECA: DPF retrofits for trucks and buses in California see uptick in sales

7 August 2014

Sales of diesel particulate filters (DPF) for trucks and buses in California increased at the end of 2013 and in the first half of 2014 compared to the first half of 2013, according to a survey by the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association (MECA). The total number of verified DPFs sold by MECA member companies for in-use, on-road, heavy-duty diesel vehicles operating in California in the first six months of 2014 was 5,780. This is a 65% increase over the 3,508 DPFs sold for this same period in 2013 and on par with the 5,457 DPFs sold in the second half of 2013. These latest numbers follow sales of only 6,261 DPFs for trucks and buses in California in 2012.

The increase in sales in the second half of 2013 likely reflects the increase in activity by vehicle owners to meet the January 1, 2014 compliance date under ARB’s truck and bus regulation, said MECA. This deadline applied to heavy-weight vehicles with 2005 to 2006 model year engines and to at least one vehicle (any model year) in small fleets (of three or fewer total vehicles).

The continued higher sales in the first of 2014 likely reflects ARB’s recognition of good faith efforts made by vehicle owners to meet the January 1, 2014 compliance date whereby the agency allowed owners to install DPFs through July 1, 2014, without being subject to enforcement action (as long as a fleet entered into an agreement with a retrofit installer for a DPF prior to January 1, 2014). In its March 2014 Staff Report on the truck and bus regulation, ARB estimated that 8,195 truck owners had ordered but not installed a DPF as of January 31, 2014. In addition, ARB estimated that approximately 36,000 trucks (17,000 small fleet trucks and 19,000 large fleet trucks) would need to take steps to comply with the regulation by the end of 2014. MECA expects some of these vehicle owners to comply by installing a DPF retrofit.

Installing DPFs on diesel vehicles is one of the most cost-effective ways to comply with California’s regulations to reduce PM emissions from the existing diesel fleet, noted MECA. In California alone, DPFs have been used to retrofit over 55,000 on-road and off-road vehicles since 2002. Currently, there are 50 verified Level 3 DPF systems (> 85% PM reduction) available in California. Overall, in the USA, approximately 100,000 retrofit DPFs have been sold since 2001 for both on-road and off-road vehicles.

“Retrofit manufacturers are encouraged by the recent increase in DPF sales for trucks and buses in California. MECA applauds ARB for their increased outreach and enforcement efforts to ensure compliance by vehicle owners with the truck and bus regulation and to establish a level playing field for all those impacted by the rule,” said MECA’s Executive Director, Joseph Kubsh.

Source: MECA