Nissan Jumps on Clean Diesel - August 7th, 2007
Nissan seems prepared to follow in Honda’s footsteps and get into clean diesel in a big way. The Nissan catalyst systems uses a multi-layer approach, trapping hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide then causing both to reach with NOx for conversion to nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water.
The system doesn’t need urea injection to come up to spec for Tier II Bin 5 emission standards in the U.S. and Nissan has already said it will offer a diesel Maxima in the North American market by 2010. A Nissan diesel X-Trail SUV will appear in Japan as early as the fall of 2008. (Right now the only diesel passenger sedan selling in Japan is the Mercedes E320 CDI.)
These vehicles and those in development by Honda (set to appear in Japan in 2009) are set to break the preconcived notion that all diesels are big, smelly, dirty, environmentally disastrous monsters. Clean diesel fuel could represent a serious competitor for hybrid tech in the hearts of drivers because it can keep the power and size factors they love while still being “green” and contributing to significant emission reductions.
This route won’t wean the United States off its politically disastrous addiction to petroleum products but that may be a kettle of fish to be stewed another day. I’m on the fence about clean diesel and right now my most enthusiastic response has to be that at least it’s a step in the right direction while hybrid and true electric cars are being developed and brought to a level of performance that will appeal to consumers. Regardless of what I think, however, clean diesel is on the way and it will represent a whole new range of choices for American car buyers.
Posted on August 7th, 2007 by Shorty
Filed under: alternative fuels |
