Japanese Firms Develop Clean-air Alternative For Diesel Trucks

TOKYO, Japan May. 25, 2004; Kyodo News reported that trading firm Itochu Corp., steelmaker JFE Holdings Inc. and eight other entities said May 25 they have succeeded in developing a clean-air alternative to a diesel-engine truck, using dimethyl ether produced from natural gas. The 8-ton truck (in photo) can travel up to 600 kilometers when its two tanks are filled with dimethyl ether. The fuel is considered a promising alternative to diesel oil as it produces no sulfur oxide.