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Verified Technologies

EPA has evaluated various technologies/devices as part of grants, cooperative agreements, emissions testing, engineering analyses, modeling, demonstration projects and external peer reviewed reports.  The technologies listed below have been verified by EPA to reduce emissions from diesel powered vehicles and engines.

Verified Idle Reduction Technologies
Verified Aerodynamic Technologies
Verified Low Rolling Resistance Tires
Verified Retrofit Technologies

This listing is for informational purposes only and will be updated as needed.  EPA does not endorse the purchase of products or services from any specific vendor.  EPA urges you to compare products, services, and prices before making purchases.

How can I request to have my product added as a verified technology?

TO REQUEST THAT EPA EVALUATE YOUR PRODUCT for inclusion on the EPA-verified technology list, send an email to SmartWay-tech@epa.gov for idle reduction technologies, aerodynamic technologies, and low rolling resistance tires.  For retrofit technologies, obtain a retrofit application packet retrofit application packet and submit it to CleanDiesel@epa.gov.  

Verified Idle Reduction Technologies

Over the past seven years, EPA has evaluated idle reduction technologies/devices as part of grants, cooperative agreements, emissions testing, engineering analyses, modeling, demonstration projects and external peer reviewed reports to study the effects of idling on air quality, fuel consumption and driver health.  Based on this evaluation and research, EPA has determined that a variety of idle reduction technologies save fuel and reduce emissions when compared to idling the main engine.  Idle reduction technology allows engine operators to refrain from long-duration idling of the main propulsion engine by using an alternative technology.

An idle reduction technology is generally defined as the installation of a technology or device that:

Certain idle reduction devices are now exempt from the federal excise tax when purchased with a new truck. For a list of idling reduction technologies eligible for the federal excise tax exemption, please see Federal Excise Tax Exemption.

General Verification Note for Idle Reduction Technologies: By using technology categories for idle reduction technologies, EPA confers approval of other company products not evaluated but considered part of that particular technology category if the product is similar in design. For example, in 2002 EPA evaluated the Espar Heater System® fuel operated heater and found this device to effectively reduce main engine idling. Webasto Product North America® manufactures a similar fuel operated heater. Consequently, both companies’ products are considered an effective technology to reduce main engine idling. For any questions regarding the verifiability of a product not listed below, please send an e-mail message to the SmartWay Technical Team at Smartway-Tech@epa.gov. For any product not included in the recognized categories below, EPA cannot confer its verification of the product. EPA does not endorse any specific company or product. 

To date, EPA has verified the following categories of idle reduction technologies:

Electrified Parking Spaces (EPS)

An EPS system operates independently of the truck’s engine. In other words, the truck engine is turned off as the EPS system supplies heating, cooling, and electrical power. The EPS system provides off-board electrical power to operate either:

In both cases, the EPS system reduces main engine idling by providing an alternative source of energy which results in lower emissions than the main engine.

Technologies include, but are not limited to EPS systems manufactured by the following companies:

Shore Connection Systems and Alternative Maritime Power (SCS/AMP)

An SCS/AMP system allows maritime vessels to “plug into” an electrical power source instead of using its diesel auxiliary engines while at port. This system also includes various components such as cables, cable management systems, shore power coupler systems, distribution control systems, and power distribution.

Technologies include, but are not limited to, the SCS/AMP manufactured by the following company:

(Other technologies may be approved on a case-by-case basis)

Note on Shore Connection Baseline and Offsetting Emissions

Shore Connection Systems for Locomotives (SCS)

An SCS system allows locomotives to “plug into” an electrical power source instead of using its diesel engines while at the railyard.

Technologies include, but are not limited to, the SCS manufactured by the following company:

Auxiliary Power Units and Generator Sets (APU/GS)

An APU/GS device contains an EPA certified engine, as certified under 40 CFR Part 89. APU/GS devices supply cooling, heating, and electrical power to Class 8 trucks and other applications. EPA has determined through its own test program that these devices reduce emissions on Class 8 trucks and other applications when compared to the baseline truck’s emissions.

Technologies include, but are not limited to, the APU/GS systems manufactured by the following companies:

Trucks:

Locomotives:

Fuel Operated Heaters (FOH)

A FOH provides heat only. EPA has determined through its own test program that these devices reduce emissions on Class 8 trucks when compared to the truck’s baseline emissions. In addition, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved certain FOHs for compliance with applicable California emissions standards.

Technologies include, but are not limited to, the FOHs manufactured by the following companies:

Battery Air Conditioning Systems (BAC)

A BAC system uses batteries to power an independent electric cooling system. These systems will also integrate a FOH to supply heating. Similar to EPS systems, BACs operate when the truck engine is turned off. EPA has evaluated BACs and finds that these systems reduce emissions on Class 8 trucks when compared to the truck’s baseline emissions.

Technologies include, but are not limited to, the BAC systems manufactured by the following companies:

Thermal Storage Systems (TSS)

A TSS system stores energy in cold storage as the truck is driven, and then provides air conditioning when the truck is turned off. EPA has evaluated TSS and finds that these systems reduce emissions on Class 8 trucks when compared to the truck’s baseline emissions.

Technology includes, but is not limited to, the TSS system manufactured by the following companies:

Automatic Shut-down/ Start-Up Systems

An automatic engine shut down/start up system controls the engine start and stop, based on a set time period or ambient temperature, and other parameters (e.g., battery charge).

Technology includes, but is not limited to, the automatic shut-down/start-up systems manufactured by the following companies:

Locomotives:

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Verified Aerodynamic Technologies

Trailer aerodynamic technologies can minimize aerodynamic drag and maintain smoother air flow over the entire tractor-trailer vehicle.  Trailer aerodynamic devices include gap fairings that reduce the gap between the tractor and the trailer to reduce turbulence, trailer side skirts that minimize wind under the trailer, and trailer rear fairings that reduce turbulence and pressure drop at the rear of the trailer.  EPA determined that using these trailer aerodynamic fairings in combination with one another (or, with a few products, when used alone) have the potential to provide an estimated 5% or greater reduction in fuel use, when used in conjunction with an aerodynamic tractor, in highway type operation. This reduces NOx emissions, saves over 800 gallons of fuel, and eliminates over 9 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.  Actual fuel savings depends upon the aerodynamic effectiveness demonstrated by each individual product, and truck operation.  To reduce NOx, greenhouse gases and improve fuel efficiency, legacy fleets can be retrofitted with aerodynamic trailer fairings or the fairings can be provided as new equipment options.

To date, EPA has verified the following categories of aerodynamic technologies: Trailer Gap Reducer, Trailer Boat Tail and Trailer Side Skirts (used in combination with one another); Advanced Trailer End Fairing; and, Advanced Trailer Skirt. In order to be eligible for funding under the Diesel Emission Reduction Program, verified aerodynamic technologies must be specifically listed on EPA’s verified technology list.

Technologies include, but are not limited to, the trailer aerodynamic technologies manufactured by the following companies:

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Verified Low Rolling Resistance Tires

Based upon data provided by tire manufacturers and EPA testing and research, EPA determined that certain tire models can provide a reduction in NOx emissions and an estimated fuel savings of 3% or greater, relative to the "best selling" new tires for line haul trucks, when used on all three axles.  The options offered include both dual tires and single wide tires (single wide tires replace the double tire on each end of a drive or trailer axle, in effect turning an "18" wheeler into a "10" wheeler).  Low rolling resistance tires can be used with lower-weight aluminum wheels to further improve fuel savings.

To date, EPA has verified the following low rolling resistance tires.  In order to be eligible for funding under the Diesel Emission Reduction Program, verified low rolling resistance tires must be specifically listed on EPA’s verified technology list.

Verified technologies include the low rolling resistance tires manufactured by the following companies:

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Verified Retrofit Technologies

For a list of EPA and CARB verified retrofit technologies such as diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters, please visit EPA’s verified retrofit technologies list.

Note on Shore Connection Baseline and Offsetting Emissions: A method to determine baseline emissions of your project is available in the following publication: “Rulemaking to Consider Adoption of Proposed Regulations to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Auxiliary Engines on Ocean-Going Vessels while at Berth at a California Port” (Appendix B: Emission Inventory Methodology); California Air Resources Board (December 6, 2007). This report is available at www.arb.ca.gov/ports/shorepower/shorepower.htm. Exit EPA Disclaimer While this report provides information specific to California ports, the method used in this report can be used in other jurisdictions. To determine the offsetting emissions of electrical power use from shore-side power, EPA provides the following model to assess these emissions offsets: The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID). This is a comprehensive inventory of electric power systems which uses available plant-specific data for all U.S. electricity generating plants that provide power to the electric grid and report data to the U.S. government. The eGRID contains air emissions data for nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury. The model and directions can be downloaded at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/egrid/index.html

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SmartWay Transport is maintained by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ).

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