DEF now available at 2,800 locations

Dearborn, Mich.-Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), the urea solution required by diesel-engined vehicles equipped with selective catalytic reduction control of NOx emissions, is now available from 2,800 locations across the U.S. and Canada, and will be obtainable from 5,000 outlets by the end of the year, according to the North American SCR Stakeholders Group. Kim Doran, spokesperson for the group, says the bulk of DEF supplies are being delivered to Daimler, Volvo/Mack, and Paccar heavy truck dealerships, augmented by two major truckstop chains, Pilot Travel Centers and the Travel Centers of America/Petro group. Initially, some outlets are selling the fluid in 1-gallon and 2.5-gallon (3.8- and 9.5-litre) cans. But the stakeholders group foresees an increasing number of fuel island DEF dispensing pumps being established. Pilot already has 25 such pump supply points up and running. “Emergency” supplies of DEF are also being carried on many dealer and truck stop breakdown/rescue trucks. At the same time, the American Petroleum Institute reported that by the beginning of December it had certified the specification and quality of fluid coming from 14 suppliers to conform to the ISO 221 worldwide AdBlue/DEF standard. The voluntary certification program authorizes DEF marketers that meet specified requirements to use the API DEF certification mark identifying that the holders have certified that they meet ISO performance requirements.