EPA revisions to DEF standards may protect farmers from being stranded in the field

Source - Michigan Farm Bureau / Dennis Rudat

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced revised regulations to protect farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems.

During an Aug. 12 visit to the Iowa State Fair, Zeldin and U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler said EPA has issued clear guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise DEF system software in existing vehicles and equipment to prevent sudden shutdowns, giving operators more time to repair faults without impacting productivity or safety.

EPA has revised Diesel Exhaust Fluid-related regulations to address engine derates and power loss concerns that cost U.S. farmers an estimated $727 million annually. Nonroad equipment, including farm equipment, will now have no performance impact for 36 hours following a system failure, including faulty sensors. Image credit - Mark Stebnicki

“We have heard loud and clear from small businesses across the U.S. that the current DEF system is unacceptable. 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,” Zeldin said.

Since 2010, most on-road diesel trucks and many types of nonroad equipment (such as tractors and construction machinery) have used selective catalytic reduction systems that inject DEF into exhaust streams to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.

When DEF runs out or a system sensor fails, current systems force a drastic reduction in speed or become inoperable. In many cases, vehicles are limited to as little as five miles per hour within hours of a DEF-related fault, causing significant disruptions in logistics, agriculture, and construction.

Although the engine derate strategy was intended to ensure compliance with EPA’s Tier 4 Emissions Standards, Zeldin said it has caused needless frustration, operational delays, and real economic hardship for countless farmers, truckers, and equipment operators.

“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,” Zeldin announced.

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.

To fix the problem for vehicles already in use, EPA’s new guidance, developed in collaboration with manufacturers, will work to ensure that the necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet.

The revised DEF guidance uses a three-phased decreasing, stepwise approach (initial, secondary, final) for four classes of vehicles: motor coaches, heavy-duty (HD) trucks, HD pickups and light duty (LD) cars, and nonroad equipment (typically farming).

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