EPA Rule Paves Way to 50-State Diesel

[Merc1]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday issued guidelines for the ADBlue urea SCR systems in the new generation of diesel engines that should pave the way for "clean diesel" vehicles to be sold in all 50 states.

Urea systems, automakers such as Mercedes-Benz have argued, have several advantages over other technology to reduce diesel emissions because they can be used to meet emission limits in all markets, and they cost about half as much ($880) as an NOx trap ($1400). The EPA has been concerned about what happens when AdBlue runs out, thus requiring a warning system which could disallow refueling vehicles with low AdBlue tanks.

While all automakers who want to sell diesel cars, trucks, and SUVs to boost fuel economy ratings will benefit, the ruling is especially a boon to DaimlerChrysler. Its Mercedes-Benz division has plans to market four clean-diesel models in the U.S., including the E320 BLUETEC, as well as the soon-to-be-launched BLUETEC diesel-powered versions of its popular M-, R- and GL-Class sport-utility vehicles in the United States beginning in 2008.

"Mercedes-Benz welcomes and supports the EPA's announcement on Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) guidelines, which represent a critical next step for the future acceptance of diesel vehicles in the U.S. market," said DCX chairman Dieter Zetsche. "This decision, teamed with the Agency's recent mandate for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel availability, serves to reinforce diesel's benefit as a viable alternative to help reduce fuel consumption and ultimately, reduce oil imports."

EPA Rule Paves Way to 50-State Diesel - The Car Connection

In short Mercedes is one step closer to being able to see the upcoming R/ML/GL Bluetecs and the existing E320 Bluetec in all 50 states here in the U.S. All 4 are expected in early 2008 as 2008 models.

M

 

[TagMan]

Thanks, merc1 -

This is terrific news, especially for those of us in California and the other "strict" states, as we will also be able to enjoy the benefits of the new generation diesels.

BTW, from what I understand, the brand new C-Class, which I expect to be a grand-slam hit with buyers, will most likely offer a diesel that does NOT require the additive. This is probably due to the fact that it will be a four-cylinder diesel, and the special catalyst at the exhaust will be sufficient to generate enough ammonia on its own, thus eliminating the need for the additive. A nice feature for the upcoming C-Class, IMO. Let's hope it comes our way.

TagMan

 

[Merc1]

Thanks, merc1 -

This is terrific news, especially for those of us in California and the other "strict" states, as we will also be able to enjoy the benefits of the new generation diesels.

BTW, from what I understand, the brand new C-Class, which I expect to be a grand-slam hit with buyers, will most likely offer a diesel that does NOT require the additive. This is probably due to the fact that it will be a four-cylinder diesel, and the special catalyst at the exhaust will be sufficient to generate enough ammonia on its own, thus eliminating the need for the additive. A nice feature for the upcoming C-Class, IMO. Let's hope it comes our way.

TagMan

Hmm...is this my friend from Edmunds?

M

 

[TagMan]

Hmm...is this my friend from Edmunds?

It most definately is your friend from Edmunds.

 

[Merc1]

Hmm...is this my friend from Edmunds?

It most definately is your friend from Edmunds.

Good, and welcome!!! You're going to love this site!

M

 

[TagMan]

Good, and welcome!!! You're going to love this site!

M

It's a bit intimidating at first glance.

BTW, I posted the 2008 CL 65 AMG 40th Anniversay model a couple of nights ago on Edmunds... it made me think of you. I just figured you would really like that particular car. I know I sure do.

TagMan

 

[Merc1]

It's a bit intimidating at first glance.

BTW, I posted the 2008 CL 65 AMG 40th Anniversay model a couple of nights ago on Edmunds... it made me think of you. I just figured you would really like that particular car. I know I sure do.

TagMan

Yep the CL is my kinda of car. Well I won't be on Edmunds anytime soon. I'm tired of going back and forth with the hosts and quite frankly tired of reading the clueless BS that seems to be the order of the day there.

M

 

[TagMan]

Yep the CL is my kinda of car. Well I won't be on Edmunds anytime soon. I'm tired of going back and forth with the hosts and quite frankly tired of reading the clueless BS that seems to be the order of the day there.

M

I understand. I've probably been guilty more than once myself though. It disintegrates too darned quickly over there at times, and then it all gets sucked down the drain.

I knew the CL was your kind of car. The 40th anniversay model seems a fair amount of substance as opposed to a bunch of hype... you know, it's a legitimate anniversay car... gosh, what a coupe!

I'll stop by and check in with you once in a while.

TagMan

 

[Merc1]

I understand. I've probably been guilty more than once myself though. It disintegrates too darned quickly over there at times, and then it all gets sucked down the drain.

I knew the CL was your kind of car. The 40th anniversay model seems a fair amount of substance as opposed to a bunch of hype... you know, it's a legitimate anniversay car... gosh, what a coupe!

I'll stop by and check in with you once in a while.

TagMan

Ok. You're not clueless thought tagman, I was speaking of the Toyota loving bunch!

M

 

[TagMan]

Ok. You're not clueless thought tagman, I was speaking of the Toyota loving bunch!

M

Thank you. Some of them will never understand, and it's something we'll just have to live with... or not, if you decide to avoid them altogether. Personally, I like poking at them once in a while. And there are a few good guys there, I like to chat with.

Back to your original post here, though... I mentioned that I read the C-Class is going to get a diesel that doesn't require the urea additive, and since then I've read that one of the Bimmers can also meet the emission standards without the additive as well.

Are you quite interested in the diesel situation and its development, or was your post more of a casual comment?

BTW, if you give me a few hints on the better threads here, it will be helpful for me to find my way around. Thanks.

TagMan

 

[Merc1]

Thank you. Some of them will never understand, and it's something we'll just have to live with... or not, if you decide to avoid them altogether. Personally, I like poking at them once in a while. And there are a few good guys there, I like to chat with.

Back to your original post here, though... I mentioned that I read the C-Class is going to get a diesel that doesn't require the urea additive, and since then I've read that one of the Bimmers can also meet the emission standards without the additive as well.

Are you quite interested in the diesel situation and its development, or was your post more of a casual comment?

BTW, if you give me a few hints on the better threads here, it will be helpful for me to find my way around. Thanks.

TagMan

I'm interested in the technology as always, but I don't think I'd buy a diesel unless gas prices shot through the roof and diesel stayed put. The C that doesn't need the urea tank is a 4-cylinder I believe, the C220 Blutec is the only one I've read that doesn't need the tank. Honda has a similar system on a 4-cylinder also, but I'm not sure which BMW model has a tank-free system.

Well it is more of me and the hosts not getting along over there, I'm sick and tired of them trying micro-manage everything that is said. I've been banned twice before, but this time it was supposed to be a one week suspension. Then I got an email about promising to do this and promising to do that before being let back on, basically to kiss their ass, which I won't do. The hell with Edmunds forums as far as I'm concerned. Or at least that is how I look at it right now.

As you know very well since my joining Edmunds in 1999 I've enjoyed de-bunking most of the Toyota-laced rhetoric for some years, but the hosts lets some folks get away with murder while they screen everything I post. Enough of that.

M

 

[TagMan]

I'm interested in the technology as always, but I don't think I'd buy a diesel unless gas prices shot through the roof and diesel stayed put. The C that doesn't need the urea tank is a 4-cylinder I believe, the C220 Blutec is the only one I've read that doesn't need the tank. Honda has a similar system on a 4-cylinder also, but I'm not sure which BMW model has a tank-free system.

Well it is more of me and the hosts not getting along over there, I'm sick and tired of them trying micro-manage everything that is said. I've been banned twice before, but this time it was supposed to be a one week suspension. Then I got an email about promising to do this and promising to do that before being let back on, basically to kiss their ass, which I won't do. The hell with Edmunds forums as far as I'm concerned. Or at least that is how I look at it right now.

As you know very well since my joining Edmunds in 1999 I've enjoyed de-bunking most of the Toyota-laced rhetoric for some years, but the hosts lets some folks get away with murder while they screen everything I post. Enough of that.

M

Thank you for the insight into what happened over there. It's certainly a shame. Perhaps I should clarify that I'm not here to dig up dirt... I'm here because there was some previous time when you told me that there were other forums, this being one of them, that appreciated German cars, as we obviously do. My ancestry is German, and it is possible that my family lines go back to the earliest day of Mercedes Benz, but I cannot be certain of that without hiring a professional to figure it out accurately. Regardless, I think just the possibility itself is very cool.

If you don't mind, merc... I had asked you if there are some of the threads here that might be particularly good, you know... that you are familiar with, that you enjoy more than others, and think that I might like? And I notice that you seem to have a high "rating" of some sort here.

TagMan

 

[Merc1]

Thank you for the insight into what happened over there. It's certainly a shame. Perhaps I should clarify that I'm not here to dig up dirt... I'm here because there was some previous time when you told me that there were other forums, this being one of them, that appreciated German cars, as we obviously do. My ancestry is German, and it is possible that my family lines go back to the earliest day of Mercedes Benz, but I cannot be certain of that without hiring a professional to figure it out accurately. Regardless, I think just the possibility itself is very cool.

If you don't mind, merc... I had asked you if there are some of the threads here that might be particularly good, you know... that you are familiar with, that you enjoy more than others, and think that I might like? And I notice that you seem to have a high "rating" of some sort here.

TagMan

Yeah I'm one of the elite members here...lol!!!

I think you'd like the Pit, Internal Combustion and More European Cars threads:

http://www.germancarforum.com/internal-combustion/

http://www.germancarforum.com/pit-general-discussion/

http://www.germancarforum.com/more-european-cars/

Then of course there are the brand specific threads for MB, BMW, Audi, VW and your other favorite, Porsche. This site is more of a pure enthusiast site than the more consumer driven Edmunds of course. Check those out and let me know what you think.

M