Pilot Details First Wave of At-the-Pump DEF Installations

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Pilot Travel Centers, the nation's largest operator of travel centers with more than 350 owned or licensed interstate locations in 41 states, released its installation plans for the rollout of 100 diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) at-the-pump locations.

The company maintained it was the first travel center chain to make the commitment to offer DEF at the pump, and Pilot will carry pre-packaged supplies of DEF at all its retail stores as well.

According to an announcement issued by Pilot Friday, the chain’s initial plans call for the installation of 100 bulk-dispensing pumps at locations spread out nationally, at a rate of 25 pumps per quarter beginning the third quarter 2009 through the second quarter 2010.

The initial phase of Pilot’s fuel island DEF pump locations will include: Amarillo, Texas; Avondale, Ariz.; Bordentown, N.J.; Brooks, Ore.; Carlisle, Pa.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Denver; Dexter, Mich.; Effingham, Ill.; Ft. Pierce, Fla.; Gallup, N.M.; Greenville, Va.; Hepseria, Calif.; Houston; Meridian, Miss.; Milford, Conn,; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Oak Creek, Wis.; Oklahoma City; Santa Nella, Calif.; Seville, Ohio; St. Cloud, Minn.; Stanfield, Ore.; and West Memphis, Ark.

"We have worked closely with Detroit Diesel Corp. and Daimler Trucks North America, as well as Gilbarco, to develop Pilot’s bulk dispensing capabilities and a billing/transaction system that will meet our customers’ need for ready DEF supply and fuel island convenience," Mark Hazelwood, executive vice president for Pilot Travel Centers, said in a statement.

"The maximum distance between any two of our locations will be 2,618 miles. That is the distance between Milford, Conn., and Santa Nella, Calif, and it is also within the normal range for one tank of DEF on a Class 8, on-highway truck," Hazelwood added.

Pilot expects to offer at-the-pump DEF at prices that are equal to or less than diesel fuel.

"Pilot is committed to its customers and communities. Both will be served by the fuel efficiency and near-zero emissions enabled by DEF in selective catalytic reduction (SCR)-equipped commercial vehicles," Hazelwood said. "And since a little DEF goes a long way, Pilot will leverage its national network in a rollout of DEF pumps at travel centers from coast to coast."

Virtually all of the heavy-duty engines in volume production today, which will continue to be sold after the new standards take effect, will utilize SCR to comply with new 2010 standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SCR technologies optimize engine function and, in turn, reduce fuel consumption and improve reliability and drive-ability for their owners.

Related News:

TravelCenters of America Unveils Nation's First Bulk DEF Dispensing Unit
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds