Technology achieves double-digit gains in fuel economy and emissions reduction
SPI.Systems, a technology firm dedicated to improving transportation and powered equipment systems, today announced it has achieved revolutionary breakthroughs in the diesel combustion process that yield a 10 to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and achieve a significant reduction in the emission of harmful greenhouse gases.
This technology, incorporated into the SPIER System, will initially be made available for installation on Class 7 and 8 commercial trucks (heavy duty and tractor trailers). After multiple years of research, development and testing, SPI.Systems has invented a new, sustainable, natural technology for the reduction of diesel engine emissions and an unprecedented increase in fuel economy.
“At a time when the U.S. and the world need a victory in environmental quality improvement, Rochester is delivering again,” says SPI.Systems Corporation CEO Jack Schickler. “What is exciting about this way of using the existing chemical content of diesel exhaust to economically and naturally enhance diesel combustion, is that we are seeing double-digit gains in fuel economy and emissions reduction in a system that will work on any modern diesel, anywhere in the world.”
The potential impact upon climate change and improvement in air quality is enormous, experts agree. In North America alone, diesel-powered trucks deliver more than 80 percent of commercial freight. More than 90 percent of the diesel fuel that is burned in the United States is done by truck and bus transportation. “SPI.Systems foresees reducing that usage by more than 15 to 20 percent, depending upon the application. Further applications of our emissions reducing technology could include ships, power generators, heavy equipment, and possibly locomotives,” Schickler explains.
With SPI working intensively with Regional Truck and Trailer of Henrietta, Leonard’s Express of Farmington, ANKOM Technology of Macedon, and the Golisano Institute of Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology, the SPIER System was optimized to maximize the efficiency of the diesel combustion process. In January, SPI received certification of the new system by Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions (MVTS) of Las Cruces, N.M., validating the effectiveness of the SPIER System in improving fuel economy on Class 8 trucks.
SPI.Systems is working with several major trucking fleets on installing the system to make additional improvements to fuel economy and emissions reductions. The work with these early adopters will be completed by September with wide-scale availability in the United States targeted for December. International distribution will begin in early 2022.
SPIER System development and impact — What the experts are saying
The SPIER System combines complex chemistry and new concepts in thermodynamics to revolutionize the diesel combustion process and release the full energy potential of the fuel. Here is what the experts are saying:
Dan Smith, senior program manager at the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute,
headquartered in Rochester Institute of Technology: “We were pleased to work with SPI.Systems on an evaluation of their SPIER System. Our testing and analysis showed an 18 percent fuel economy gain in highway testing of Class 8 trucks with the SPIER system installed, versus the baseline system.”
The NY State Center of Excellence in Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing at RIT is now working with SPI.Systems to develop a lab-based “virtual truck” test system for optimizing the SPIER System application to specific truck configurations. Mike Thurston, director of the Center of Excellence, indicates that, “SPIER is the type of technology that the Center likes to support, with high potential to reduce environmental impacts and also stimulate economic growth in New York state.”
Ken Johnson, CEO of Leonard’s Express, has been utilizing the SPIER System in his trucks for nearly two years. “Now that the system is fully certified, we plan to increase usage immediately,” he said. “The usage of SPIER was a no brainer for our fleet. This system delivers outstanding fuel economy and helps reduce the frequency of maintenance. We’re seeing more uptime and reduced operating costs with this system.”
Jim Carello, co-inventor of the SPIER System and dealer principal of Regional Truck and Trailer: “It’s been rewarding to see our joint testing efforts over the last two years result in such a great win for Rochester and benefits to both the U.S. economy and environment. We intend to continue our assistance with applications by our fellow truck dealers in making this a win for worldwide diesel trucks and buses.”
SPIER System — What local leaders are saying
“In order to achieve our goal of a carbon-neutral future, we need innovative solutions to
reimagine how we consume energy while ensuring America remains an economic engine—and SPI.Systems is poised to play an important role in accomplishing both,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I am excited by this step forward and the potential it holds for our local community as well as the global industry. I’m grateful to SPI.Systems for their dedication to strengthening our economy while ensuring we leave future generations with a more sustainable planet.”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “The Greater
Rochester/Finger Lakes region is an emerging tech hub with a rich history of entrepreneurship, and companies like SPI.Systems are poised to fuel our future economy. Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to support SPI and their development of emerging technologies, especially ones that address harmful environmental byproducts. We look forward to working with the SPI team to drive their growth in Rochester and beyond.”
ABOUT THE FOUNDER AND COMPANY
Jack Schickler, an entrepreneur and inventor of emission control systems and enhancements, is a Rochester native. He earned mechanical and chemical engineering degrees from Kettering University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is also a retired General Motors executive with more than 55 years of experience in automotive emission control. “We’re very excited about the benefits the SPIER System is bringing to truck fleet operators and to the environment,” said Schickler. “We’re eager to do our part in making a positive impact on the environment.” All of SPI’s major corporate functions are managed from Rochester, N.Y., including engineering, production development, and supply chain management. As production ramps up, SPI anticipates adding 25 to 50 skilled positions to its workforce. Further details regarding the SPIER System are available at SPICORP.COM and SPIERSystem.com.
Press Contact – Vanessa Felice, vfelice@spicorp.com