Isuzu celebrates Euro 5 technology at Nampo

Isuzu Motors South Africa is blazing an environmental path with the introduction of Euro 5 technology in South Africa. This was the focus of the company’s stand at this year’s Nampo exhibition.

South Africa is lagging behind global standards when it comes to emission limit legislation. While Euro 6 has long been legislated in Europe, South Africa made Euro 2 compulsory in 2008 – and has not progressed further since then.

This isn’t great news for the environment. The world’s vehicle population now exceeds 1,4 billion. Every day, millions of engines start up with varying degrees of exhaust emissions clouding the atmosphere. While South Africa’s vehicle population of 11 million road vehicles is only 0,79% of the world’s total, responsible Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and fleet operators cannot, and should not, overlook the harmful effects of exhaust emissions.

Following in this vein, Isuzu Motors South Africa has introduced Euro 5 technology into its New Generation (NG) N and F series range of trucks.

A PHASE OF RENEWAL

Craig Uren, vice president of sales and marketing at Isuzu Motors South Africa, says it’s all about Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). “We’ve now changed our model range of trucks quite significantly for the first time since we launched this generation. We’re in a phase of renewal. It is all about ESG, and all of the products that we will roll out now will be more and more environmentally-friendly. The next local step is Euro 5. Legislation in this country hasn’t ever favoured us, because we’re still at Euro 2, but societally people want to be at a different level.”

Uren says one should not be limited by legislation. “Historically, the market has always been determined by legislation, but with our economy and what is going on around us legislation isn’t really driving anything anymore – society is and consumers are. So, we’re going down that journey as market leaders and ensuring that we’re intuitively giving our customers what they need rather than reacting afterwards. Locally, customers are nervous of Euro 5. They don’t need to be. Our Euro 5 is attractive because it is very simple and cost effective,” he tells FOCUS.

EMISSION STANDARDS FOR TRUCKS AND BUSES

The emission standards for trucks and buses are defined by engine energy output in g/kWh, unlike standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which are defined by vehicle driving distance in g/km. A general comparison to passenger cars is therefore not possible, as the kWh/km factor depends (among others) on the specific vehicle.

The success of Euro standards is linked to the quality of diesel fuel, particularly the sulphur content ratio. Sulphur oxides are destroyers of filtration equipment. While 50 ppm (parts per million) sulphur is generally available, regulations (specifically Govt Gazette 40568) will limit sulphur in diesel to 10 ppm. Isuzu’s timeous introduction of Euro 5 truck standards therefore matches the changing fuel standards.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN ISUZU TRUCK ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

It all starts with a very successful common rail, electronically-managed diesel engine. Isuzu Euro 5 engines on selected models now come with variable geometry turbocharging together with increased injection pressure (up to 2 000 bar). This means a design that avoids turbocharger lag and achieves a more rapid boost to increase torque. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) has also been improved on Isuzu Euro 5 engines, with a laminate EGR cooler that allows for more effective control of NOx.

The move to Euro 5 comes with after-treatment in the exhaust system. A combined unit, comprising a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and a Particulate Oxidation Catalyst (POC) for the N-Series and DOC for the F-Series, ensures that emission is limited to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

The unique advantage of the Isuzu system is that there is no need for any additives such as urea (AdBlue) to make the technology work for a clean exhaust. While Isuzu Euro 5 technology can operate with 50 ppm diesel, 10 ppm diesel will ensure even greater effectiveness.