Tuesday July 25, 2:45 am Eastern Time
Toyota develops diesel catalyst using platinum
TOKYO, July 25 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp , Japan's biggest carmaker, said on Tuesday it developed new technology to reduce diesel engine emissions with a platinum-containing catalyst.
Toyota said it aims to launch vehicles using the new system, which cuts nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, in 2003, after ensuring its durability and reliability.
The new system features a fine porous ceramic filter coated with a three-way platinum-based catalyst, the company said.
A spokesman declined to say what other metals may be used in the catalyst. Auto exhaust catalysts often contain other platinum group metals such as palladium and rhodium.
The new system requires low-sulphur fuel and can only be used with common-rail fuel injection diesel engines.
Toyota plans to continue development of the system with affiliated heavy truck maker Hino Motors Ltd and expects it will be suitable for small cars as well as heavy trucks, a spokesman said.
Toyota also plans to license the technology to other automakers.
For a two-tonne diesel truck, the system in its initial stage of operation reduces emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides by more than 80 percent compared with Japanese standards set in 1998, a Toyota spokesman said, although it was not clear how long that level of emission reduction could be sustained.
Toyota's shares closed at 4,640 yen on Tuesday, up 3.11 percent. |
