GM Diesel Pickups First to Undergo Extra Emissions Testing

General Motors says it’s not concerned that stepped-up efforts to test diesel engine emissions will delay the launch of its new 2.8-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine. The diesels are slated for use in the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon due out in the fall. GM and other automakers have been warned by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board that they would begin using more stringent testing methods in the wake of the Volkswagen cheating scandal.

VW has admitted to installing software in its diesel cars that turned on emissions control systems when the cars were undergoing government testing, then shut those systems down during normal driving. It came as no surprise then both the EPA and CARB announced that new diesels won’t be certified until they’ve been tested not only in the lab, but also on the road.

The new GM diesels weren’t selected at random to receive additional scrutiny. They’re just the first new diesel products out of the gate in the aftermath of the VW scandal. The company has confirmed it will be the first automaker to be affected by the new procedures. “The EPA and CARB told us they are going to do on-road testing,” said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer for Chevy trucks. Yackley said the company has conducted extensive lab and road tests and is confident the trucks will hold up under the additional scrutiny. “Part of our development process is on-road and off-road [laboratory] testing,” he said.

The 2.8-liter, four-cylinder Duramax engines slated for use in the 2016 Colorado and Canyon have been in use in markets outside the U.S. for years. As a result, the company has a lot of experience with them. But this will be the first time they’ll have to meet tougher U.S. emissions standards. Undaunted, GM is already touting low nitrogen oxide (NOx) production methods it will use to meet the standards. It says it’s mastered s Selective Catalytic Reduction system that periodically sprays a fluid into the exhaust system to reduce NOx emissions, which are believed to be a major contributor to climate change.

Diesels engines, many of them turbocharged, have long been popular with heavy-duty pickup buyers. Turbo-diesels allow owners to eek-out enough fuel economy and power to make their behemoths economically feasible. But to meet recently enacted government fuel economy mandates, many automakers are pursuing diesel engine technology for their smaller pickups as well. GM is no exception. Previously, real-world emissions testing was done only on the heavy-duty trucks.

GM says the new diesel truck engine will be the cleanest diesel it’s ever produced.