AdBlue for Haulage Firms

What is AdBlue?

AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid made up of 67.5% deionised water and 32.5% high-purity urea, designed to reduce emissions from the diesel engines of HGVs, trucks, lorries and vans. Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA) approved AdBlue is a clear, non-toxic solution which works with the SCR system in a vehicle’s exhaust to reduce emissions of Nitrogen Oxide (NO2).

How Does AdBlue Work?

An SCR-equipped diesel engine will have a separate DEF tank from the diesel tank to contain the AdBlue. Then engine’s electronic control unit (ECU) measures the operating conditions of the engine and injects an exact amount of AdBlue into the exhaust system.

This AdBlue comes into contact with the exhaust fumes and SCR system. Using the heat of the exhaust, the SCR catalyses a reaction between the Nitrogen Oxide (NO2) in the exhaust gas and the urea (CH4N2O) in the AdBlue, to produce Nitrogen gas (N), water vapour (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). This leads to a greatly reduced NO2 emission from the engine overall, benefitting the health of people and the local environment.

How Haulage Companies Use AdBlue

The widespread investment in Euro VI trucks across the UK haulage industry has led to a 72% drop in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from HGVs since 2013. This is a huge benefit of using AdBlue to decontaminate exhaust fumes and reduce air pollution on UK roadsides, making the roads safer and healthier for those drivers who spend long hours in the cab.

It’s also good for business. AdBlue helps hauliers reduce harmful emissions from diesel vehicles, so environmental regulations are easier to meet. The SCR system uses AdBlue to convert nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen and water vapour, reducing the amount of NOx that is released into the atmosphere to below 0.8mg/km, which is the limit set under Euro 6 legislation (2014). 

By using AdBlue, haulage businesses can reduce their impact on the environment and help to protect local air quality, attracting business from companies looking to reduce their environmental impact. 

Without sufficient AdBlue, an SCR-equipped engine, common in HGVs, vans and lorries, will reduce its operating performance, allowing drivers just enough power to pull over and refill the AdBlue tank. This failsafe ensures that drivers do not neglect AdBlue refills and return to dangerous levels of air pollution.