Begun in 2000, EPA's Voluntary Diesel Retrofit Program uses innovative technology to bring the current diesel fleet closer to 2007 standards; implements pilot demonstration projects to encourage more fleet retrofits; evaluates emission control technologies such as performance, durability and maintenance. To date, fleet owners and operators have committed to retrofit approximately 160,000 diesel trucks, buses and construction equipment. These projects will demonstrate EPA-verified retrofit technologies and cleaner fuels -- diesel oxidation catalysts, diesel particulate filters, ultra-low sulfur diesel, and biodiesel -- on a variety of existing on-highway and nonroad diesel engines as well.

EPA’s Clean Air Highway Diesel final rule requires a 97 percent reduction in the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel, from its current level of 500 parts per million (ppm), to 15 ppm. As of October 15, 2006, ULSD is available at retail stations. Cars, trucks and buses with advanced pollution control will be available beginning in the autumn of 2006.

By addressing diesel fuel and engines together as a single system, this program will provide annual emission reductions equivalent to removing the pollution from more than 90 percent of today’s trucks and buses, or about 13 million trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle fleet has been completely replaced in 2030. This is the greatest reduction in harmful emissions of soot, or particulate matter (PM), ever achieved from cars and trucks

Once this action is fully implemented:

• 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced each year.

• Soot or particulate matter will be reduced by 110,000 tons a year.

• An estimated 8,300 premature deaths, 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children will be prevented annually.

• An estimated 360,000 asthma attacks and 386,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children will also be avoided every year.

• 1.5 million lost work days, 7,100 hospital visits and 2,400 emergency room visits for asthma will be prevented.