Tim's become a glutton for punishment.

I watched that one and thought it interesting, I tried researching about the company "Engine Technology Forum" and found they use to be called "Diesel Technology Forum." It's a non-profit and he is essentially a lobbyist who is raising funds and then connecting them to states, agencies and businesses with a need/plan.

They're big into bio-fuels as he has written a few articles and opinion pieces on the topic. That's a pretty hot issue with opinions all over the place... I got lost last night reading through the pros and cons.

It was a good interview but I think lost was the additional cost added to the end user, reliability concerns and the lobbyist aspect. I couldn't really tell what his end goal was. If he could wave a wand, what would he enact or change about the current situation regarding emissions, vehicles etc. What is he lobbying for?

One thing I caught was when Tim said something along the lines of "I've talked to manufacturers and it's my understanding that it isn't going to be that big of a change" The interviewee agreed and said it's "evolution of existing technology, it's not like there is going to be new stuff bolted on." However, there are already gas powered vehicles shipping in the US with particulate filters due to the new regulations and that will be ramping up ... I would consider that a pretty big hardware change. I had no idea the Bronco Sports now ship with gas particulate filters. Driving Sports TV just bought one and he mentioned it in his review.
 
For clarity, I've known Allen for about 5 or 6 years and this is about the 3rd or 4th time I've interviewed him. He has been a lobbyist and pushed hard for more diesel engine awareness for years. I used to get press releases about all the benefits of diesel over gas. There was a really interesting one where he countered the effects of the air quality in California during Covid. If you recall, the air quality was visibly much better during that period of time. Many diesel critics put the blame on those engines. I can't recall exactly what the press release said, but it made a compelling argument for diesel.

We talk off the record at times. He is really frustrated with the shitty job automakers did in rolling out diesel emissions systems and how that has created a legacy of people hating on them.

I think that's why they changed their name to the engine technology forum. I'd bet he just wanted to move on to other engine types. He shares some really interesting stuff on LinkedIn as well with regards to a variety of engines.

Why do I interview him? He is right in the thick of the regulation meetings with the various stakeholders on a variety of engine topics. He is a wealth of information as well with his nearly 30 years of experience.
 
testerdahl said:
For clarity, I've known Allen for about 5 or 6 years and this is about the 3rd or 4th time I've interviewed him. He has been a lobbyist and pushed hard for more diesel engine awareness for years. I used to get press releases about all the benefits of diesel over gas. There was a really interesting one where he countered the effects of the air quality in California during Covid. If you recall, the air quality was visibly much better during that period of time. Many diesel critics put the blame on those engines. I can't recall exactly what the press release said, but it made a compelling argument for diesel.

We talk off the record at times. He is really frustrated with the shitty job automakers did in rolling out diesel emissions systems and how that has created a legacy of people hating on them.

I think that's why they changed their name to the engine technology forum. I'd bet he just wanted to move on to other engine types. He shares some really interesting stuff on LinkedIn as well with regards to a variety of engines.

Why do I interview him? He is right in the thick of the regulation meetings with the various stakeholders on a variety of engine topics. He is a wealth of information as well with his nearly 30 years of experience.
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I don't think people necessarily dislike diesel emissions stuff they just want them to work.
 
Hilux said:
I don't think people necessarily dislike diesel emissions stuff they just want them to work.
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Yup, I made that exact statement in one of the emissions videos I did. Interestingly, the 2027 standards are supposed to increase the warranty on diesel emissions equipment. The people I've talked to are so negative towards the emissions systems, they frankly don't think it is possible for automakers to build the equipment to last through the warranty process.

786ea658-3bdb-407c-aacf-3756f0d401a2.jpeg
 
I can't look it up right now but what exactly does the EPA classify as a "Heavy Duty Vehicle" that would be affected by the new warranty? I think it's 8,500 GVW+ but they then break that category into different sections? I guess I'm wondering if 2500's & 3500's are going to be included or just more commercial fleet type vehicles?
 
Fightnfire said:
I can't look it up right now but what exactly does the EPA classify as a "Heavy Duty Vehicle" that would be affected by the new warranty? I think it's 8,500 GVW+ but they then break that category into different sections? I guess I'm wondering if 2500's & 3500's are going to be included or just more commercial fleet type vehicles?
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Seems to be for heavy duty commercial trucks, not 2500/3500/F450 types of vehicles. I don't think the current warranty of 100K miles applies to us, only for heavy duty commercial.
 
Fightnfire said:
I confirmed this, the new EPA warranty for 450k only applies to Class 8 which are Long haul semi trucks and large commercial vehicles. So much for any win for the traditional consumer. Even the 450 and 550 aren't in Class 8.
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That was a good question and something I hadn't thought about as to what specifically qualifies as a heavy-duty truck.
 
Obviously, this created another question for me. What is the "useful life" of say a 2500 diesel then?

Google AI spit this out:

For a 2500 diesel, the EPA considers the full useful life to be 11 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • Heavy Light-Duty Trucks (HLDTs):
    The EPA regulations define the useful life for heavy light-duty trucks, which include vehicles like the 2500 diesel, as 11 years or 120,000 miles.
  • 40 CFR § 86.1805-04:
    This specific section of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) outlines the useful life for various vehicle types, including HLDTs.
  • Other Vehicle Types:
    For light-duty vehicles and light light-duty trucks, the EPA's useful life is 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
 
It's an important distinction and one that I think is being used to manipulate a little frankly.

The average person even if you are a truck person thinks of light medium and heavy duty as half ton, 3/4 ton and one ton.

And on the front that is how the EPA defines them but they take that one ton or heavy duty category and split it up into multiple sections.
 
Fightnfire said:
It's an important distinction and one that I think is being used to manipulate a little frankly.

The average person even if you are a truck person thinks of light medium and heavy duty as half ton, 3/4 ton and one ton.

And on the front that is how the EPA defines them but they take that one ton or heavy duty category and split it up into multiple sections.
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There’s the other side to it that if Semis can use emissions equipment that works for 450k miles, why can’t consumer diesel trucks do the same?
 
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