News Analysis: Engine Makers Are on Tight Schedule To Meet Next Round of EPA Standards

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>Although the next round of tougher diesel emissions standards will not take effect until 2007, the engine making industry is actually facing a tight schedule if it wants to design and build new engines in time to avoid a repeat of last year’s buy-ahead-and-bust cycle, trucking experts said.

“The year 2007 is actually very near for engine makers,” said Jeffrey A. Leet, manager of diesel engines in the engine research department at the Southwest Research Institute.

Engine makers have yet to decide which of several technologies to use in meeting the government’s 2007 standards, industry experts said. In order to have finished models ready for testing a year before they hit the market, manufacturers have just three years to complete their research and development and begin manufacturing prototypes.