Dec 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Pilot Travel Centers, the nation's largest retail operator of travel centers with more than 325 owned or licensed retail interstate locations in 40 states, announced plans to be the first 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.

This 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's commitment ensures supplies of the fluid will be conveniently available during normal fuel fill-ups 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.

Virtually all of the heavy-duty engines in volume production, that will continue to be sold after the new standards take effect, will utilize SCR to comply with the standard.

Besides offering DEF “at the pump,” all Pilot Travel Centers will carry pre-packaged top-off quantities of the fluid for SCR-equipped trucks.