According to Tom Kampf, product manager for Thermo King, even though Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 Final standards took effect a year ago, refrigerated fleet operators continue to have a choice when it comes to selecting the transportation refrigeration unit (TRU) that best meets their needs.
That is because the EPA regulations that cover non-road diesel engines in the less than 50 HP classification still allow original equipment manufacturers to produce and sell TRUs that meet the Tier 4 Interim standards.
Regulations allow that a certain number of Tier 4 Interim-compliant units can be made available to buyers through the end of the decade. However, most TRU manufacturers plan to phase out the manufacturing of these units over the next year.
During 2013, many fleet operators elected to integrate Tier 4 Final F TRUs into their fleet operations. Thermo King, a leading provider of transportation temperature control systems for mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, found that Tier 4 Final-compliant units accounted for close to one-third of the company’s 2013 TRU sales in North America.
In 2013, the company introduced its Precedent family of TRUs, the first to meet Tier 4 Final and California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards for “evergreen” units without the use of a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Under CARB rules, evergreen units can continue to operate beyond the seven-year replacement window that applies to most TRU systems and enables fleets to operate in California.
The benefits of new TRU technologies go beyond the fact of state and federal environmental compliance regulations. Early adopters recognize that Tier 4 Final-compliant units provide significant environmental performance improvements, with reductions in carbon, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions. Equally as important, these operators are discovering that these redesigned platforms offer better performance and reliability along with double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency.
As refrigerated fleet operators develop their TRU purchasing plans for 2014, they will want to compare the relative benefits of Tier 4 Final and Tier 4 Interim units, both of which meet current EPA standards.
For example, operators focused on lower front-end acquisition costs (who do not plan to operate in California) will want to consider a Tier 4 Interim-compliant solution. Conversely, those that plan to keep their equipment for an extended period of time and place a priority on lower cost of ownership will find that Tier 4 Final-compliant technologies provide an attractive return on investment over time and will enable them to operate on California roadways.
Regardless of the approach fleet operators are inclined to take, they will find value in discussing their plans with a TRU original equipment manufacturer or authorized dealer who will help them consider various options and develop an equipment-acquisition strategy that best meets their needs.
