A crane truck powered by dimethyl ether (DME) began test runs on public roads in Japan on November 29, 2005--first in the world for this kind of vehicle. The road tests are being conducted by the "Executive Committee for Model Business of DME Promotion in the Keihin Coastal Zone, Kanagawa Pref.," which is composed of Kanagawa Prefecture and eight private companies.

DME is a clean energy source suitable for diesel engines. DME exhaust gases contain no sulfur oxides, and help substantially curb emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from vehicles. Moreover, during combustion it emits less carbon dioxide than diesel oil. The crane truck can travel around 300 kilometers on one fill-up of DME.

In this project, the executive committee has installed DME fuel stations and conducted the test runs, while the "R&D Group for Practical Use of DME-Fueled Vehicles," consisting of nine private companies developed the vehicle.

Test runs of this model have so far been conducted on the premises of the East Japan Works of JFE Steel Corp., in which the truck has been carrying ropes used for the transport of steel materials. In extending the range of the DME crane truck test to public roads, the executive committee and the R&D group plan to examine its practicality in actual use. At the same time, they will continue to collect data in order to establish technical guidelines for the practical use of the DME vehicle, with a view to achieving its commercialization.


Posted: 2006/04/20 11:20:10 AM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Local government