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Why DEF?

First, you have to ask yourself, "What got us here?" What were the standards for our air quality and the North American emission concerns that led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory bodies to change the regulations we were familiar with?

Bottom Line: Why do we need to control emissions and what role do you have to play?

Large portions of the U.S. do not meet the national ambient air quality standards.
Diesel exhaust has been implicated in an increased risk of lung cancer and respiratory disease AND diesel trucks and buses comprise 28% of the Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and 20% of the Particulate Matter (PM) from U.S. mobile source emissions.
PM and NOx from diesel contribute to asthma and other serious respiratory health problems.

What has the EPA done about it?

Tightened the emissions standard. Starting back in 1999, with a phased-in approach over eleven years to 2010, the EPA has taken us to where we are now.
EPA launched the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)
The NCDC has two parts: Regulations & Voluntary program

What do the regulations cover?

New engines and mandates for low sulfur diesel fuel. These cover Light-duty Tier 2 passenger vehicles (like a pick-upper with an engine greater than three-liters), Heavy-Duty Diesel highway vehicles, Non-road Diesel Engines, Locomotive and Marine transportation. Upcoming standards for Ocean Going Vessels.

How is this being phased in?

Light-duty Tier 2: fully phased in - 2009. That means that the Silverados, the F-250s and the Ram pickups will have the SCR technology and will require DEF.
Heavy Duty Diesel highway vehicle phased in - January 1, 2010. From the over-the-road 18-wheeler to the local public utility service truck - if it's made after January 1, 2010 it will have to meet the standards.
Non-road Diesel Engines (e.g., the farm tractors and combines that help feed the world): fully phased in - 2014.
Locomotive and Marine: fully phased in - 2017
Ocean Going Vessels: Fully phased in - 2016 for vessels with SCR technology

If you wish to read the EPA's final guidance document on this SCR and DEF, issued March 2007, please enter this link in your browser:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/cisd0707.pdf (PDF 1,285KB)

The EPA is working to ensure that DEF is readily available. It acknowledges that producers, distributors, dealers, fleets, regulators and engine/truck OEMs all have a part to play in making sure that's the case.

The great news is that the trucking industry is fundamentally about logistics. This community can handle DEF.