Technology development of next-generation heavy-duty vehicles with ultra low fuel consumption and zero or near-zero emissions of air pollution substances contained in exhaust gases that can replace conventional diesel powered vehicles is important to fundamentally solve environmental and energy problems caused by automobiles. Under 3-year project beginning 2002, the Laboratory is developing a DME (Dimethyl Ether) truck, hybrid bus and truck, CNG truck and super clean diesel engine sponsored by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport undertaken under the framework of cooperation among the industry, academia and government. The prototype vehicles will be shown at Tokyo motor show in 2004.

Images of Next-Generation Low Emission Vehicles

Development Objectives

• To achieve power output and fuel efficiency of new generation heavy duty vehicles equivalent to diesel vehicles, with a final goal of realizing a smokeless vehicle with a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission level that is one-tenth emission limit set forth in the new long-term regulation.
• To not only take the environment into account but also take safety and noise reduction into consideration.
• To be sufficiently feasible.