The automotive industry has seen a surge in the focus on electrifying transmission lines in heavy machinery. However, there is also a great interest in electrifying other mechanical or hydraulic systems of the vehicle. Hydraulic cylinders, for instance, are used in many commercial vehicles, but they come with a variety of limitations in terms of efficiency, controllability, connectivity, NVH (noise, vibration and hardness), and environmental impact. To address these issues, innovative electromechanical rod-type actuators can be used as absolute replacements for hydraulic cylinders.
In the past, diesel engines were known to be polluting. But with the introduction of diesel particulate filters, diesel exhaust fluid, selective catalytic converters and exhaust gas recirculation technology, NOx emissions have been reduced by an average of 72%. Thanks to these advances in diesel technology, diesel is now being seen as a viable alternative to gasoline engines and equipment. Some UTI graduates have gone on to find jobs in their field of study as maintenance technicians, locomotive technicians and marine diesel technicians.
The government has also imposed a lower federal tax on diesel fuel, making it more attractive for refiners to sell it in the US market instead of exporting it to Europe.
