Irizar UK and GreenUrban Technologies will very soon give operators of the Irizar i6 integral with DAF’s PR265, 360bhp Euro 5 engine a fully-approved way in which to achieve Euro 6 compliance for the ULEZ
Operators of Irizar i6 integral coaches with the Euro 5 DAF PR265, 360bhp engine have been given a boost by a partnership between original supplier Irizar UK and GreenUrban Technologies that will deliver a certified exhaust retrofit system to upgrade those vehicles’ emissions to Euro 6.
It will allow the coaches to access London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from April 2019 without becoming liable for the £200 daily charge that would otherwise be levied on them.
GreenUrban’s equipment has already demonstrated that it meets Euro 6 emission levels, as required by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS). It is compatible with i6 integrals fitted with both ZF’s AS-Tronic automated manual gearbox and the EcoLife automatic.
Final certification is expected within “a few weeks,” says Irizar UK. The kit will be available for fitting to used coaches that form part of its stock, and also to operators’ existing i6 integrals, all provided that they have the Euro 5 PR265 engine.
The sums add up…
Irizar UK acknowledges that uncertainty surrounding the retrofit of Euro 5 coaches has devalued many of them to the extent that operators now cannot bridge the gap between what they are worth in reality and Euro 6 replacements. For that reason, it describes the retrofit project as “a lifeline.”
The dealership is not alone in recognising that issue. routeone is aware of many Euro 5 coaches stood looking for new homes that are attracting little to no attention; many more that remain in use are almost unsaleable by operators, afflicted by a coaching version of negative equity.
There is no shortage of Euro 5 i6 integrals that are suitable for upgrade, says Irizar UK. “We know that there are many in the hands of UK operators that are powered by the PR265 engine,” explains Head of Coach Sales Julie Hartley. “In normal circumstances, those coaches would have many years of useful, safe and sustainable service left in them. But the ability to enter London and other key cities without facing draconian penalties is clearly essential.”
Mrs Hartley’s latter sentence is worthy of close consideration. London’s ULEZ is the issue du jour for many, but a requirement for Euro 6 compliance will spread elsewhere in due course the form of Clean Air Zones (CAZs).
“We cannot face seeing our loyal customers being effectively forced out of these urban areas. We have therefore decided to develop an affordable and effective solution that will enable Irizar integral coaches with the Euro 5 PR265 engine to achieve Euro 6 conformity.”
Technical wizardry
GreenUrban is established in the emissions reduction sector. After the conversion of a suitable i6 integral to achieve Euro 6 compliance, GreenUrban’s system will function to maximum effectiveness regardless of gearbox or body specification.
The existing SCR catalyst is replaced with a new one that has a greater cell density and a precious metal coating that allows higher dosages of AdBlue. As a result, maximum NOx conversion is achieved without ammonia slip.
This enhanced SCRT system is operated by its own closed loop electronics control platform, meaning that the coach’s existing CANbus network remains in situ.
Exhaust NOx inputs and outputs are monitored across the SCRT unit to ensure that the coach meets Euro 6 limits while in service regardless of engine load. That monitoring is key to ensuring conformity, because AdBlue dosage is constantly adjusted in response to emissions.
Particulate and unburned hydrocarbon emissions are minimised thanks to the addition of a diesel particulate filter and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC).
The DOC has a silicon carbide element, rather than the more usual ceramic filter. That means that it is able to withstand much higher heat levels, but its precious metal coating also triggers passive regeneration at relatively low temperatures.
That is a key part of the system’s functionality. It allows full compliance to be achieved in urban driving, where the average load on the engine is low, as is the temperature within the exhaust – particularly important in London conditions. Although no figures have been released, Irizar UK says that the system will be cost-effective.
It will no doubt appeal to operators of i6 integrals with the Euro 5 PR265 engine – regardless of whether they have one that they wish to sell, have one located that they want to buy, or simply have one that they want to keep as a front-line coach for the foreseeable future.
routeone comment
DAF’s next-generation Euro 6 engine range has attracted a lot of attention, but arguably of equal – if not more – importance to many operators is finding a solution that will allow its Euro 5 units to achieve ULEZ compliance.
Between them, Irizar UK and GreenUrban have started that process, and that will come as a relief to operators who have i6 integrals with the PR265 engine in their fleets. Not only will they be able to continue to use those coaches without restriction, but their second-hand worth will increase.
Operators of other non-Euro 6 models will also be looking on closely, hopeful that this development marks the beginning of a start of wider retrofit certification. Whether it does or not remains to be seen, but it is a promising move nonetheless.
