Pilot Travel Centers, with more than 325 owned or licensed retail travel center locations in 40 states, announced plans to carry diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) “at the pump.” The company’s initial rollout plans call for the fluid to be economically available in bulk at more than 100 Pilot Travel Center locations nationwide beginning in mid-to-late 2009.
Pilot says it decision to offer DEF “at the pump” will maximize affordability and convenience for truckers and is one of the final infrastructure elements to be put into place for truck fleets and owner-operator customers planning to use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions control technology to meet 2010 emissions standards.
The company says its commitment ensures supplies of the fluid will be conveniently available during normal fuel fillups by truck drivers anywhere in the country, and will help to lead the way for new 2010 SCR-equipped trucks to run at near-zero emission levels. In addition, all Pilot Travel Centers will carry pre-packaged top-off quantities of the fluid for SCR-equipped trucks.
“By working with Detroit Diesel Corporation and Daimler Trucks North America, as well as other OEMs, we’ve begun to learn a lot more about SCR and the infrastructure needed to support this beneficial new technology,” says Mark Hazelwood, executive vice president of Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot. “We believe this product will create efficiencies for trucking companies which will, in essence, increase their MPGs and save them money. This product offering also helps Pilot to continue its Pilot ‘green’ initiatives.”
