Pilot Flying J Outlines Ambitious DEF Strategy

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- By Oct. 1, Pilot Flying J expects to offer diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) at the pump at 175 of its locations, totaling more than 1,100 fuel lanes, according to the Refrigerated Transporter.

The travel center chain plans to get even more aggressive by May 1, 2012, when DEF is expected to be available at 1,800 fuel lanes located at 300 Pilot Flying J locations nationwide.

DEF is a urea-based chemical reactant designed for use in selective catalytic reduction systems to reduce NOx highly-reactive gas emissions. Currently, Pilot offers DEF at more than 135 of its locations.

At Pilot Flying J travel centers and plazas, DEF and fuel dispensers are located on one pump. Therefore, customers can swipe their card once when refueling and filling up with DEF, the report stated. Some competitors require vehicles to conduct two separate transactions in two different fueling lanes when seeking both gas and DEF.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores has been another travel center chain to champion DEF. As CSNews Online reported in June, Love's announced it would double the number of its locations offering DEF from 70 to 125 by the end of this year.