EPA and Sensors, Inc. - The first Major Demonstration of In-Use Emission Testing at Challenge Bibendum

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EPA and Sensors, Inc. - The first Major Demonstration of In-Use Emission Testing at Challenge Bibendum

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EPA and Sensors, Inc. - The first Major Demonstration of In-Use Emission Testing at Challenge Bibendum

SALINE, MICHIGAN, Oct. 9 -/E-Wire/-- In the first major demonstration of in-use testing for regulated emissions in the world, the Environmental Protection Agency put over 40 prototype and production vehicles through their paces at the Infineon Raceway during Michelin's Challenge Bibendum, September 23 – 25.

Vehicles were equipped with SEMTECH, an in-use, portable emissions measurement system from Sensors, Inc. Five different exhaust pollutants were monitored, even for vehicles claiming partial zero (PZEV), or super ultra low (SULEV) emissions. The intensive three-day testing program also included alternative fueled vehicles running on hydrogen, biodiesel, LPG and compressed natural gas (CNG).

As in past years, Challenge Bibendum evaluated competitors with respect to environmental, safety and performance criteria; the emissions performance was based on certified results each participant submitted prior to the event. New to the 2003 Challenge Bibendum were the real-world emissions measurements in which SEMTECH measured the actual emissions of each passenger vehicle during a portion of the energy efficiency event that included start-up, acceleration and braking around the road course at Infineon Raceway road.

Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda and Mercedes vehicles were among the participants that traveled from Europe, Asia and throughout the U.S. to demonstrate the latest in clean vehicle technology. Installation of the SEMTECH equipment took just ten minutes on the sedans, SUVs and pick-up trucks in the competition.

After testing, mass emissions results were computed and compared for all competitors who were then ranked according to the rules of the competition. "Testing performed during Challenge Bibendum clearly demonstrates that in-use emissions measurement is an extremely practical alternative to running laboratory tests, even for low emission vehicles. It is the only means of gathering data on the performance of a vehicle while it is being driven under real-world conditions," said Andrew Reading, president of Sensors, Inc.

SEMTECH is playing a large role in the EPA's efforts to understand the contribution of mobile sources in air pollution studies, the development of on- and off-road regulations, and surveillance and compliance testing of existing vehicles. The next application for the agency's 11 SEMTECH systems will be to measure the in-use emissions of over 500 vehicles in Kansas City during 2004.

"I think on-board emissions measurement technology is going to change everything," said Chris Grundler, Deputy Director – Office of Transportation & Air Quality at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during a presentation at the Challenge Bibendum. "We can now take reliable and accurate measurements of fuel economy and emissions as a vehicle is traveling down the road, rather than under controlled – and artificial – laboratory conditions.

"This on-board measurement device will enable EPA and others to take real-world emissions measurements so that we can better understand how cars and trucks and other equipment, like tractors and bulldozers, perform in real world operating conditions and to better measure environmental progress in this area," he said.

"Challenge Bibendum has been a tremendous experience on many levels," said Robert Wilson, Sensors' vice president of marketing and sales. "It has provided EPA with training and experience in the use of SEMTECH in preparation for Kansas City and other future programs. It has become the standard for in-use emissions testing."

The SEMTECH product line from Sensors, Inc. encompasses a range of emissions test products measuring total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulates. Its size (22"x17"x14") and weight (70 pounds) are ideally suited for a variety of applications including engine design and development, production applications as well as in-use testing.

Additional information on SEMTECH is available at www.sensors-inc.com.

EPA technicians install Sensors, Inc.'s SEMTECH emissions testing equipment in the trunk of a test vehicle at Challenge Bibendum.

Doug Drummond, National Editorial

Rob Wilson, Sensors, Inc.

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