RENO, Nev. — The school bus industry has moved “halfway across the bridge” to full compliance with new federal regulations on emissions, according to Bob Pudlewski, president of Fleet Opps Consulting LLC; however, there is still much to accomplish before the 2018 deadline.
Pudlewski discussed how the industry would achieve the necessary requirements set by the Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards in his workshop titled, “The Green Benefits of Refined Oil and New Technologies.”
The second day of the 2015 STN EXPO started early with Pudlewski speaking about how refined oil can bring buses up to the new standards that include a 14-percent increase in fuel efficiency. The oil industry has started marketing new motor oils with low viscosity, delivering less friction, which means less fuel is consumed.
“The PC-11, both A and B oils, runs at higher temps for use in the next generation diesel engines,” said Pudlewski.
Only the PC-11A is backward compatible, he added. The PC-11B oil will only run in the next generation engines.
Pudlewski stressed the importance of maintaining the engines, such as following the guidelines set by manufacturers to change the oil three times a year on average. Faltering in proper upkeep can potentially render warranties useless, Pudlewski warned.
“Listen to engine manufacturers about when to change the oil,” said Pudlewski. “Oil is the cheapest tool extended to you. If you run it too long, you essentially break the wrench.”
What to do with the spent oil is where Eco Power comes in. Eco Power is a company that reclaims secondhand oil and re-refines it. In essence, it recycles used oil to put it back into circulation, producing a “renewable loop,” according to Barry McCabe, director of marketing for Eco Power.
“This is about quality, and reclaimed oil is superior feedstock to crude oil,” said McCabe.
The reclaimed oil made by Eco Power has been approved by all heavy-duty engine manufacturers and has earned API/OEM approval. McCabe also pointed out that the U.S. military and Roush Fenway Racing, a celebrated NASCAR team, currently employ the Eco Power product.
None of the tighter restrictions on waste should come as a surprise, Pudlewski asserted, because “change is constant” in this industry.
He also admitted that once Phase 2 standards are attained, the next step is a bit of a mystery, yet he emphasized that if everyone works together, they will be successful.
