Why Is the SCR System in Your Hino Truck Important?

When it comes to ensuring a Hino truck is running its best, not to mention doing our part for the environment, monitoring your Hino’s SCR system is crucial. Hino trucks are the workhorses of today's society, powered by diesel and delivering the vast majority of goods used in North America. Over the years, though, the North American heavy truck industry has been challenged to develop a clean diesel engine solution to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's new standards as we step towards a more sustainable future. In fact, more and more businesses are beginning to incorporate electric vehicles into their fleets as a result. For diesel-powered trucks, however, the solution is the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) System. Let’s take a deeper dive into the benefits of this system, how it works, and why it’s so important. 

What is SCR?

What does SCR have to do with your truck? SCR stands for Selective Catalytic Reduction. This is an active emissions control technology system used in diesel engines. Basically, SCR controls the amount of emission given off by your truck, where a liquid-reduction agent is injected through a special catalyst into the exhaust stream of your truck's diesel engine.

How SCR works?

The liquid reduction is automotive-grade urea, otherwise known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). This sets off a chemical reaction that converts nitrogen oxides into nitrogen, water and tiny amounts of carbon dioxide, these natural components of the air are then expelled from your truck, hence saving the environment.  

Benefits of SCR

• SCR -reduces Nitrogen Oxide emissions by up to 90% while simultaneously reducing Hydrogen Chloride and Carbon Dioxide emissions by 50-90% and PM emissions by 30-50%
• When combined with a diesel particulate filter, a greater emission reduction for Particulate Matter is achieved.
• 3-5% Fuel economy gain as reported by SCR-equipped truck operators
• The SCR system itself requires very little maintenance and no driver action while the truck is operating.

Why is SCR so important?

SCR technology is one of the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient technologies available to help virtually eliminate emissions from diesel engines. Since 2011, all heavy-duty diesel truck engines have utilized SCR technology to comply with the latest EPA emissions standards. These standards require reducing particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to near-zero levels. 

SCR can reduce NOx emissions by up to 90% while simultaneously reducing HC and CO emissions by 50-90% and PM emissions by 30-50%. SCR systems can also be combined with a diesel particulate filter to achieve even greater emission reductions for PM.

The high efficiency of SCR systems in reducing NOx emissions allows manufacturers to balance engine performance and maximize fuel economy while still achieving near-zero emissions. Some SCR-equipped heavy-duty commercial truck operators report fuel economy gains of more than 4%.

If you want to ensure your SCR system is running its best or have more questions about it, don’t hesitate to stop by the Somerville Hino service centre. We also welcome you to browse our inventory of quality Hino trucks available to lease today! Additionally, if you’re thinking about making the transition into a full-on electric vehicle fleet, you can find more info with our EVOLVE program!