Caterpillar Demonstrates 2007 Emissions-Compliant Engines for President Bush

PEORIA, Ill. - Caterpillar yesterday gave President George W. Bush a first-hand look at the clean diesel technology that it will use to meet stringent 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards for on-highway truck and bus engines.

Utilizing a Cat® C13 ACERT engine, the company displayed a 2007 emissions compliant truck at an event in West Point, Va. where President Bush highlighted key elements of his energy policy.

"Caterpillar applauds President Bush for his commitment and support of clean diesel initiatives," said Doug Oberhelman, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for the company's power systems business. "The on-highway standards for 2007 will help to provide cleaner air for our environment. While these standards present an enormous technological challenge, Caterpillar is fully prepared to provide its customers with a solution that preserves reliability, durability and fuel economy."

Caterpillar has pledged to provide hundreds of 2007-compliant truck engines to truck fleet customers this summer so they will have the opportunity to field test this new technology well ahead of the rigorous 2007 emissions deadline.

Caterpillar was the first engine manufacturer to offer clean diesel engines certified to meet EPA's tougher 2004 standards, which require more stringent testing to demonstrate lower emissions over longer periods of engine operation. Currently, more than 200,000 on-highway engines featuring ACERT Technology are powering trucks, accumulating some 40 million miles a day while delivering the products, goods, and supplies that help keep America's economy running.

In addition to meeting emissions requirements, Caterpillar customers have experienced superior fuel economy for their fleets using engines featuring ACERT Technology. "We are running more than 200 trucks with Cat engines using ACERT Technology, and that's a big part of why our fleet fuel mileage has improved from about 6 to 6.5 miles per gallon," said John Liberkowski, director of purchasing and fleet maintenance for New Century Transportation of Westhampton, N.J. "With fuel prices today, that's a huge difference because every tenth of a mile saves us $1.2 million in fuel costs."

 "Caterpillar has invested more than $1 billion in research and development for ACERT and other clean diesel projects to help our customers meet today's standards, and future regulations," Oberhelman said. "Caterpillar customers know they have a 2007 emissions solution using ACERT Technology, which will work hand-in-hand with the Bush administration's upcoming low-sulfur diesel fuel regulations," said Oberhelman.

ACERT is a differentiated, breakthrough technology that reduces emissions at the point of combustion. The technology capitalizes on Caterpillar's proven leadership in engine electronics, fuel injection systems and combustion technology. All Caterpillar on-highway truck and bus engines now in production are equipped with ACERT Technology, which also provides a foundation to meet future emission regulations for the company's construction and mining machines and power generation units.