News

Truck operators could be forced to retrofit SCR systems to pre Euro-5 vehicles, at a cost of thousands of pounds per vehicle, under new proposals being considered by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

It is expected to submit an extension to the European Commission regarding nitrogen oxide (NOx) air quality limits, after announcing that the previously agreed targets on achieving air quality limits for 2010,  made in 1999, will not be achieved in Britain, along with several other EU countries.

In order to apply for a five-year extension, Defra will have to provide details on initiatives that will help reduce NOx emissions, and retrofitting emission-reducing equipment to HGVs is one such proposal.

Andy Mair, Freight Transport Association's head of engineering, says: "The idea is to bring all HGVs up to Euro-5 emissions standards, but as we know, retrofitting SCR equipment to older trucks will be complicated and devilishly expensive. It's still in the planning stages, and is by no means a finality. There is a consultation period running from the summer to the autumn, so we'll get a bit more clarity by that time."

Simon Wood, press officer for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles, adds: "Cost will be the determining factor here. To fit an SCR system, one needs to change  diagnostic systems, injectors and fuel lines. It's not a simple exercise and could run into the thousands."