Detroit Diesel has announced that its engines with the BlueTec emissions control system are certified to meet 2010 emissions regulations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The BlueTec system, which is used on the DD13, DD15 and DD16 engines, uses selective catalytic reduction to reduce emissions to near-zero levels.

According to Detroit Diesel, the engine line with BlueTec went through more than 28 million equivalent miles of testing, including 1.5 million miles of real world freight hauling experience by customers. Based on testing, the new technology can deliver fuel economies up to 5 percent over 2007 engines.

"We received 2010 certification on December 30th and have already loaded our first batch of production engines on the line in our Redford, Mich., engine facility," said David Hames, general manager of marketing and strategy, Daimler Trucks North America. "In addition to our rigorous internal testing, the extra time allowed for completion of more than one and a half million miles of real world testing under North American freight hauling conditions as part of our customer demonstration program before BlueTec is being introduced to the commercial market."

Like all 2010 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, Detroit Diesel's BlueTec technology will require diesel exhaust fluid, a solution of two-thirds pure water and one-third automotive-grade urea, to treat exhaust gases downstream of the engine. The DEF reacts with smog-forming NOx over an SCR catalyst, reducing the NOx released into the air into nitrogen and water, safe elements in the air we breathe.