PRESS RELEASE
Release date: 20th May 2015
Ultra
Low Emissions Zone puts DPFs “ultra high” on the agenda
Following news that London’s ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) will come into effect on 7 September 2020, public sector operators investing in new Euro 6 vehicles are being urged to pay particular attention to their diesel particulate filters (DPFs) in order to avoid heavy fines.
The reminder comes from automotive reconditioning specialist, DPF Clean Team, and is even more important considering that many dealerships do not cover DPF maintenance under standard vehicle warranties. Many dealerships will offer to replace a DPF outside of warranty, but the costs this can incur are often 20 times more expensive than simply cleaning the filter; a luxury that many public sector fleet operators just cannot afford.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association is currently leaning on the new UK Government to provide a national framework for ultra-low emissions zones as part of its five point strategy to tackling transport-based air pollution. With this is mind, Managing Director of DPF Clean Team, Cameron Bryce, insists that the performance of DPFs has never been more important.
He commented: “DPFs are gaining importance in the public sector as Euro 6 engines become more common through routine fleet replacement, and via retrofits, to satisfy London’s emissions zone. But what many operators do not understand is that DPFs are not warranty-covered and therefore a blocked DPF is not the responsibility of a dealer or vehicle supplier. To replace a DPF outside of a warranty agreement can be expensive when compared to the small cost of cleaning a filter, which can get a vehicle back on the road and compliant with the ULEZ very quickly.
“This is not just an issue for public sector fleets travelling through London, but to the entire country if ULEZs are to be rolled out on a national scale.”
One thing that DPF Clean Team
does advocate should ultra-low emissions zones be implemented nationwide, is
that each local authority enforces routine testing of DPF efficiency. This
would alert public sector fleet operators to a potential issue with a DPF before
it becomes serious enough to flout emissions targets and cause more serious
problems on a vehicle.
Cameron Bryce, whose company
already works with major public sector fleets in the UK including
Leicestershire and Metropolitan Police Forces, said that too many public sector
fleet operators are neglecting their DPF filters.
“We get many calls from
drivers who get in touch once they see a warning light on their dashboard, by
which point, it could be too late. Regardless of whether a DPF is a
retrofit or installed during a vehicle build, it needs to be regularly
maintained and for public sector fleets, which aren’t doing many long distance
journeys, regular cleans can ensure that they do not become blocked. A blocked
DPF doesn’t just affect performance levels, it can cause a vehicle to be off
the road, incurring greater expense to public sector fleet operators, which
they just cannot afford. ”
- Ends -
About DPF Clean Team
Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, DPF Clean Team has over 15 years’ experience in the motor parts reconditioning industry and is one of a handful of companies in the UK to offer a full DPF cleaning service to independent or franchise garages and commercial fleet and plant operators across the country.
DPF Clean Team has sought worldwide best practice and undergone extensive training to be able to offer its unique DPF cleaning service, developing flow test results in conjunction with University of Nottingham.
The company’s process utilises state of the art ultrasonic cleaning technology and the firm will continue to use the highly successful and unique ISO 9001 system. The six step cleaning system uses powerful non-flammable chemicals available only to DPF Clean Team.
DPF Clean Team is committed to providing excellent customer service and a cost-effect and legal solution for the trade to offer customers.
For further
information, please contact:
John Edden
Bridge PR &
Media Services
T: 024 7652 0025