Robert Arbasetti is CEO of Prime Lube, Inc., one of the largest distributors of Chevron and ExxonMobil lubricants, diesel fuel and anti-freeze in the United States. Robert is currently responsible for leading new business development and strategic ventures for the company, including the recent addition of its BlueSky diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) manufacturing capacity.

For years, the trucking industry has suffered a bad rap for being one of the worst polluters on the planet with big rigs puffing black smoke into the air as they roll goods across the country. With its newly enacted, ultra-low emissions standards that mandate the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) technology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has, in effect, handed the trucking industry a golden opportunity to transform its high-pollutant reputation into one of the most environmentally-friendly standards in the world.

The Drive toward DEF

Effective January 1, 2010, EPA mandates require that all diesel-powered passenger and commercial vehicles produced must be equipped with SCR/DEF technology in order to meet new, lower nitrous oxide emission standards. Beginning in 2011, DEF will be introduced into the off-road/construction/heavy equipment industries, with the railroad and marine requirements not far behind, starting in 2014.

Maligned by many owner/operators and fleet managers for its lack of readily available supply, added operating cost and impact on new equipment pricing, DEF technology may not only help improve fuel efficiency and reduce operating costs, but also enable the trucking industry to transform itself into one of the greenest modes of transportation available.

In its most basic form, DEF is a blend of urea, derived from natural gas, and de-ionized water that combine to form ammonia, which renders harmful nitrous oxide emissions into harmless water vapor and elemental nitrogen. The result is nearly net-zero pollution. Modern diesel-powered big rigs will no longer spew black soot into the air, virtually eliminating airborne pollutants emitted from the stack. As the largest consumers of diesel fuel, big trucks with DEF will have a major impact on the reduction of carbon emissions to improve air quality and the environment. The opportunity to take a commanding lead in the movement toward lowering emissions is a refreshing position for the industry.

The ROI for DEF Technology

To be sure, the environmental benefits of DEF technology do come at a price—one that is paid directly by owner/operators and fleet managers. The DEF system added $8,000 to $10,000 to the cost of 2010 model year trucks, sending many owners on the hunt to buy up 2009 and older trucks to avoid the mandate as the EPA does not require older rigs to be retrofitted with DEF technology. Consumed at a rate of 1 gallon of DEF for every 50 gallons of diesel fuel, the cost of DEF itself must also be accounted for, along with the requisite storage and handling equipment (more about that in a moment).

However, the use of DEF can actually improve fuel economy for direct return on investment. DEF-equipped trucks show as much as 5% increase in fuel efficiency, reducing total fuel consumption per mile, for a savings that can help to offset the cost of DEF. Most operators will realize a return on their DEF investment in the third year and beyond.

Get with the DEF Program

To maximize ROI and reduce DEF costs, it is critical to find the right supplier to meet your needs. First, choose a quality DEF product that meets both API and ISO 22241 certification standards to be sure the DEF you buy will be of consistent quality and provide the best possible results in both reduced emissions and improved fuel economy.

Second, partner directly with a local or regional DEF manufacturer. While there are many DEF distributors on the market, only a handful of manufacturers can give you the cost-saving advantage of buying direct by eliminating the “middle man” to reduce transportation and storage costs. Frankly, DEF is made up of mostly water—why pay extra to have it trucked in from outside the area?

Finally, consider a full-line DEF partner that can supply not only the fluid itself, but also the necessary equipment for proper storage, pumping and handling. DEF can only be stored and transported in stainless steel, titanium, polypropylene or rubberized tanks—not in typical aluminum or steel tankers or underground storage. The shelf life of DEF improves when stored at colder temperatures, but it will freeze below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure optimum shelf life, DEF should be stored out of direct sunlight at a temperature between 50-80 degrees.

By partnering with a regional, comprehensive DEF manufacturer, owner/operators and fleet managers can turn this federal emissions mandate into an opportunity to save money, boost fuel economy, bolster sustainability/environmental efforts and contribute to an overhaul in the reputation for the industry that drives America.

About the Author

Robert Arbasetti is CEO of Prime Lube, Inc., one of the largest distributors of Chevron and ExxonMobil lubricants, diesel fuel and anti-freeze in the United States. Robert is currently responsible for leading new business development and strategic ventures for the company, including the recent addition of its BlueSky diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) manufacturing capacity.