The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new action that aims to protect American farmers, truckers and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems.
EPA issued guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise DEF system software in existing vehicles and equipment to prevent these sudden shutdowns, giving operators more time to repair faults without impacting productivity or safety.
“We have heard loud and clear from small businesses across the United States that the current DEF system is unacceptable,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “It is unacceptable that farmers, truckers, construction workers and many other small businesses continually experience failures of diesel-powered equipment when they need it most — costing millions of dollars in lost productivity. Today, we are responding to those concerns by calling on manufacturers to take action to update their software and eliminate the unnecessary sudden loss of power and frustrating shutdowns that too many Americans have experienced.”
Starting with model year 2027, EPA requirements state that all new diesel on-road trucks must be engineered to avoid sudden and severe power loss after running out of DEF. The agency said that to fix the problem for vehicles already in use, its new guidance — developed in collaboration with manufacturers — will work to ensure that the necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet.
EPA said that in addition to providing certainty to manufacturers about how it wants this issue resolved, the agency is not requiring separate approvals beyond that provided in its guidance. The agency indicated that this flexibility ensures that bureaucratic steps do not delay manufacturers’ ability to put solutions into the field.
Details can be found at EPA’s Diesel Exhaust Fluid website.
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