Penske Increases Bulk DEF Offerings at U.S. Fueling Facilities
October 24, 2011
Following the addition of 19,000 new medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks this year equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology,Penske Truck Leasing is expanding its bulk Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) availability at 370 of its major U.S. fueling sites.
<p>These facilities will now house 330-gallon to 2,000-gallon DEF on-island systems. DEF is available in non-bulk quantities at other Penske locations across North America.</p><p>“We’ve made this investment to ensure that our customers have easy access to the bulk quantities of DEF they need,” explained Jennifer Sockel, Penske’s vice president of administration. At this time, work has been completed at over 100 locations.</p><p>The Reading, Pa.-based company noted in a statement that it expects to complete the effort by early next year. At the start of 2011, Penske’s SCR truck fleet numbered more than 6,000.</p><p>“Providing an on-island solution at major Penske U.S. facilities will improve the customer experience,” stated Mike Hasinec, Penske vice president of maintenance systems and support. “A new point-of-sale system will further provide Penske’s customers with detailed information on the amount of fuel and DEF that is consumed.”</p><p>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that 2010 emission technology requirements be phased in for truck fleets over the next several years.</p><p>DEF is vital to the operation of 2010 trucks utilizing SCR technology. It works to greatly reduce Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). Less NOx translates to a truck’s exhaust being cleaner and less harmful to the environment. DEF is a non-toxic agent that works to cleanse the NOx chemicals coursing through commercial medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks.</p><p><a href="http://www.GoPenske.com">Penske Truck Leasing</a> provides full-service truck leasing, <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">consumer</a> and <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/commercial-truck-rental/">commercial</a> truck rental, and <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/">maintenance </a>services at more than 1,000 locations across North America.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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Penske Supports 2010 Engine Technology with DEF Availability
January 11, 2011
A key but perhaps overlooked component of adapting to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated 2010 emission technology requirements for commercial trucks is the effective use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to support Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology.
Penske Truck Leasing is prepared to assist lease, contract maintenance and rental customers with their DEF needs when visiting all Penske locations in the United States and Canada.
<p>“There are a number of reasons why we have over 6,000 SCR-equipped trucks in our fleet,” explained Mike Hasinec, Penske’s vice president of maintenance systems and support. “Not only did we feel it was necessary to keep pace with 2010 engine technology changes, the improvement in fuel economy for our customers was certainly a major driving factor. Additionally, there are a large number of lease units that need to be replaced and we also wanted to refresh our commercial rental fleet as well.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b795069838e9c56b5afd296d6d2d3d32" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="7070e" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjgwNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzMwNzc1MX0.svnFOkN3Rs1H9jk7cmO_dbhbvj_NCcZlMk9iKPwIgLE/img.jpg?width=980"/>DEF is vital to the operation of 2010 trucks utilizing SCR technology. It works to greatly reduce Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). Less NOx translates to a truck’s exhaust being cleaner and less harmful to the environment.</p><p>Engines with 2010 SCR technology have reduced NOx by over 80 percent, and particulate matter by 90 percent, as compared to a 2002 engine. DEF is a non-toxic agent that works to cleanse the NOx chemicals coursing through commercial medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks.</p><p>Currently, every Penske <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/locations/">location</a> has a supply of 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF in their inventory, and 50 fueling locations have above-ground totes installed on the fuel island.</p><p>As Hasinec noted, customers are still adjusting to maintaining DEF tank levels, which did not previously exist on pre-2010 trucks: “there is still a learning curve.”</p><p>He noted that nearly 60 percent of all customer emergency road calls related to the new SCR technology was in response to those running out of DEF. “Some truck drivers are just not used to checking another gauge,” he said. Over 23 percent of related customer calls were those concerned with low DEF dashboard indicators. Hasinec pointed out that DEF “is readily available at larger truck stops.”</p><p>As the EPA has mandated, drivers that ignore DEF warnings do so at their own peril – if the driver runs too low, or out of DEF, the trucks will be governed at 55 miles per hour. Make a stop and fail to refill under certain conditions, and your truck will not exceed 5 miles per hour.</p><p>So far, Penske customers have reported better fuel economy with the use of the new technology in the area of 3 to 5 percent, according to Hasinec.</p><p>Through the ExpressLease program, Penske customers can drive new 2010 emissions equipment. <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/lease/special-lease-offer-on-select-volvo-and-freightliner-tractors/">Click here</a> to learn more.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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