Call Sign March 2011 - Page 7 - PCO put block on Euro 5 conversions!

You may have read in several trade newspapers about a retrofit exhaust system being tested by Cricklewood Carriers boss Sheldon Posner. This amazing system could bring older cabs up to and beyond Euro 5 and save many being consigned to the scrap heap. However, LTPH have said that the new 15 year rule must stay and as a result, conversions now seem pointless. As we approach January 2012 and the Euro 5 emissions standard requirement, Call Sign has followed the fortunes of Sheldon’s experimental taxi with its emissions control technology designed to comfortably reach Euro 5 and beyond, indeed towards Euro 6! The ‘R’ reg TX1 has been the subject of much research and attention by the garage owner to give an extended life to older cabs that would otherwise have to come off the road, while at the same time making a considerable contribution to the Mayor’s Clean Air Strategy by way of the cutting-edge technology fitted to the cab for seriously reducing emitted pollutants. Call Sign was given unlimited and privileged access to the technology involved, which is basically a filter trap fitted into the exhaust system of the vehicle to collect the nasties and heating elements within the filter system and to burn off those bad guys at extremely high temperatures! Sheldon’s entire system is self-monitoring	PCO put block on Euro 5 conversions!
	Before cleaning by way of working temperatures to maintain optimum performance and requires a minimum of servicing when the filter is due for a clean out. The technology was tentatively given the go-ahead by LTPH after the TX1 underwent months of extensive testing and evaluation in Europe, where emission levels are even stricter. The taxi is now working on the streets of London, together with real-time monitoring sensors and GPS following its’ every move and performance - details of which are relayed back to the developers on a regular basis for analysis. The system exceeds the current Euro 4 levels, the NOx readings reach Euro 5 levels and the PMS (particulates) levels comply with Euro 6 standard! Everyone involved in the project was extremely optimistic for the future of this emission reduction system. Then we learned that following a recent two hour presentation to LTPH, the entire project has stalled because the authority are insisting that the 15	After cleaning year age limit for taxis still applies and that they will require all taxis to meet Euro 6 emission standards for all gas emissions, not just PMS, within the set time frames. "I’m gutted and astonished," Sheldon told Call Sign. "We specially flew an engineer over from Germany for the meeting with LTPH and were absolutely gobsmacked to be given the news that the goalposts had been moved. The hurdle to meet Euro 6 for all the emissions is pretty much impossible at this time and there is still the 15 year rule anyway, which means we will have to re-evaluate the viability of the whole project," the Cricklewood Carriers boss said forlornly. The photo shows how use of a high pressure cleaner in conjunction with a waste water oil separator system for filter maintenance can almost renew the filter. At average fuel consumption, maintenance should be needed at around 30,000km. © Call Sign Magazine MMX1

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