Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) gathering prepares for massive U.S. diesel rollout

As part of a massive nationwide and cross-functional effort to increase fuel efficiency and reduce harmful vehicle emissions, executives from leading car, truck and engine manufacturers, diesel exhaust fluid producers, fuel retailers and distributors and dispensing equipment suppliers met with members of trade associations and governing agencies at meetings held in concert with the Department of Energy's Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference in Dearborn, Mich.

The meeting was in concert with plans for the rollout of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology in diesel-powered passenger cars and light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.

Key to that rollout is the development of a distribution and retail infrastructure to support the availability of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), a fluid that enables SCR systems in vehicles to operate. Participants say outcomes of this cross-functional commitment will be a nationwide infrastructure that supports product availability and assures the quality of diesel exhaust fluid for passenger cars and light trucks introduced in 2008/2009, as well as for medium and heavy-duty trucks using SCR technology to meet new Environmental Protection Agency emissions standard requirements set for 2010.

One of the only emissions control technologies that can reduce harmful NOx emissions while increasing fuel economy, SCR is one of the most promising technologies to deliver clean, fuel-efficient and environmentally-compliant diesel power for cars and commercial trucks, according to the companies involved.

By optimizing fuel efficiency, SCR improves engine performance while reducing emissions to near-zero levels. SCR-equipped vehicles require only the addition of small quantities of the separate diesel exhaust fluid to reduce exhaust to harmless levels of nitrogen and water. In addition to improved air quality and benefits to public health, SCR-equipped vehicles offer significant fuel savings for vehicle owners and operators, reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil.

The SCR Stakeholder Group represents nearly 200 public and private organizations. Participants include government agencies (U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), automotive and heavy-duty engine and truck manufacturers and trade associations, fuel retailers and truck stop trade associations, chemical and oil companies, diesel exhaust fluid producers, distributors and dispensing equipment manufacturers. Recognizing SCR to be one of the most fuel efficient and effective emissions technologies available, objectives for the SCR Stakeholders Group are:

• To exchange information with the U.S. government and other potential stakeholders on the potential market and need for SCR technology and diesel exhaust fluid availability.
• To engage potential providers and distributors of diesel exhaust fluid and determine the conditions necessary for provision of retail availability before a profitable market exists.
• To consider effective education tools and outreach to consumers and commercial markets about diesel exhaust fluid, its use and availability.