A fleet of diesel vans using Cataclean fuel additive cut emissions by an average of 24%, according to a study commisioned by fleet management company ARI.

The test, conducted with the RAC, ARI's roadside assistance partner, saw the additive also improve fuel economy by 9.7% and provide a direct benefit to the diesel particulate filter (DPF) service life/regeneration cycle.

Matt Cranny, operations director at ARI, said: "ARI is constantly looking at ways to improve the performance of its customers’ fleet and benefit the bottom line.

“We were keen to put Cataclean to the test on the streets of London and are convinced by the results.

"Besides the impressive fuel economy and emissions performance, the van drivers in the study reported improved drivability, claiming that the vehicles seemed more responsive and that they noticed they did not fill up as much.”

Cataclean contains solvents that break down deposits in fuel delivery systems formed by oxidation and polymerisation of hydrocarbon.

When Cataclean combusts, it forms carboxylic acids, aldehydes and active peroxy compounds. When these compounds reach the exhaust vapours, they clean inside the catalytic converter, removing carbonaceous deposits from the surface of the core.

The result is an increase in the catalyst’s ability to remove harmful exhaust emissions such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. 

In February and March this year, ARI, commissioned a study for one of their customers undertaking infrastructure work in and around London.

The study recorded the emissions and fuel consumption data of five untreated 2016-registered Peugeot Partner HDI vans over a four-week period.

The same vehicles were then treated with Cataclean and analysed for a further four-week period where they were driven under the same typical stop-start driving conditions. The mileage covered in both periods was 6,800 miles.

Test results:

• NOx emissions were reduced by 16% 
• Carbon monoxide was reduced by 24%
• Hydrocarbons were reduced by 32%
• Fuel economy was improved by 9.7%
• The interval between each DPF regeneration process increased by 21 per cent, from every 169 miles to 215 miles. DPF service life increased by 1,344 miles to 124,224 miles.

ARI and Cataclean continue to work together and are extending the testing to 40 or more vehicles over the next two to three months with the continued support of the RAC.