Toyota believes it can cut diesel particulates and NOx emissions by over 80 percent using a new filter containing platinum in a catalytic converter.

According to published reports, the company has developed the "core technology" for a revolutionary diesel emissions purification system called Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction System.
The system uses a ceramic filter coated with platinum-based catalyst first designed for gasoline engines. The filter traps NOx emissions and turns much of the particulate matter into harmless oxygen.
Toyota plans to introduce new vehicles featuring the system in 2003, developing the system with affiliated heavy truck maker Hino.
Existing vehicles cannot be converted to use the technology, because it must be used with a new fuel injection system. It also requires low-sulfur fuel.