ICYMI: EPA Green Lights Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fix Protecting Hard-Working American Farmers, Truckers, Equipment Operators
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced new guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system software in existing vehicles and equipment. EPA’s action will protect hard-working American farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden shutdowns and give them the time to make repair without impacting productivity or safety.
Starting with model year 2027, EPA requirements state that all new diesel on-road trucks must be engineered to avoid sudden and severe power loss after running out of DEF. To fix the problem for vehicles already in use, EPA’s new guidance, developed in collaboration with manufacturers, will work to ensure that the necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet.
Read coverage below on this new, commonsense DEF fix.
Ag Web: Farmers, Truckers and Gear Heads Rejoice: EPA Rolls Out Streamlined Diesel Engine Fluid Guidelines
“EPA is rolling out new guidance for manufacturers of farm equipment and other heavy-duty vehicles, removing regulatory red tape requiring diesel-powered farm equipment to reduce engine torque dramatically when a problem arises with the machine’s Diesel Exhaust Fluid system... To fix the problem for farm machinery already in the field, EPA’s new guidance, developed in collaboration with farm equipment manufacturers, will work to ensure necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet.”
RFD TV: Farmers Are Applauding the EPA’s “Common-Sense Approach” to Diesel Exhaust Fluid Guidelines
“In what is considered to be a win for rural Americans, the EPA says that it will revise diesel exhaust fluid guidelines. Farmers say it is a common-sense approach to diesel engines. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin made the announcement at the Iowa State Fair, where he called on manufacturers to take action to update their software and eliminate the unnecessary sudden loss of power that many had complained of. . . It is estimated that the change will save family farms alone an estimated $727 million a year.”
Pickup Truck Talk: EPA Diesel DEF Fix Promises Millions in Savings for Family Farms
“At the Iowa State Fair, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced they are proposing an EPA DEF fix promising millions in savings for family farms.”
The Progressive Farmer: Trump Administration Eases DEF System Rules that Caused Truck, Farm Equipment Shutdowns
“...To fix the problem for vehicles already in use, EPA’s new guidance allows software changes to be made on the existing fleet. ‘In addition to providing certainty to manufacturers about how EPA wants this issue resolved, the agency is not requiring separate approvals beyond that provided in EPA’s guidance,’ the agency said in a news release. ‘This ensures that bureaucratic steps do not delay manufacturers’ ability to put solutions into the field.’”
Truckers News: EPA Administrator Zeldin Announces Diesel Exhaust Fluid Changes
“The trucking industry is praising the latest regulatory change from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. At the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced new action the agency said will ‘protect American farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems.’”
The Drive: EPA Tells Truck Makers to Stop Forcing Immediate Limp Mode for Low DEF
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is on a roll when it comes to undoing past regulations and directives. Now, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is urging truck and engine manufacturers to do away with sudden speed and power losses due to low diesel exhaust fluid levels. In his announcement at the Iowa State Fair, a key event humming with agricultural workers who have long voiced their negative opinions of modern diesel emissions systems...’”
Agri-Pulse: New EPA Guidance Issued to Prevent Vehicle Shutdowns from Diesel Exhaust Fluid Loss
“...Often, vehicles experiencing diesel exhaust fluid problems are reduced within hours to going as slowly as five miles per hour, according to a press release. Such power reductions were likely meant to ensure compliance with the agency’s Tier 4 Emission standards. ‘It is unacceptable that farmers, truckers, construction workers, and many other small businesses continually experience failures of diesel-powered equipment when they need it most—costing millions of dollars in lost productivity,’ Zeldin said.”
American Ag Network: EPA Eases Diesel Exhaust Fluid Rules to Prevent Sudden Power Loss for Farmers, Truckers
“EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the changes address widespread complaints from farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators about ‘de-rates’ — abrupt engine power reductions triggered by DEF sensor failures or empty fluid tanks. Current rules can slow vehicles to just five miles per hour within hours, stranding operators during harvests, delaying shipments, and halting construction projects.”
Hoosier Ag Today: EPA Relaxes Diesel Exhaust Fluid Rules to Protect Farmers, Truckers from Sudden Power Loss
“New rules have been rolled out by EPA to prevent sudden speed and power losses in diesel-powered trucks and farm equipment caused by Diesel Exhaust Fluid system failures—also known as DEF. ‘This was one of the top issues discussed by farmers and ranchers at a round table I attended and Guyton, Georgia in May, and one I continue to hear about in my travels throughout the United States,’ says Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator, who announced the new rules on Tuesday.”
Truck News: EPA Issues New DEF Guidance to Prevent Engine Derates, Shutdowns
“The new guidance bridges the gap between now and then, ensuring existing vehicles on the road and in the field are just as dependable and new vehicles and equipment don’t have these issues.”
Commercial Carrier Journal: EPA Proposes Tiered Derate System to End Power Loss from DEF Faults
“U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Tuesday urged engine and equipment manufacturers to revise system software to prevent sudden loss of power from engine derates related to aftertreatment problems. The proposal implements a tiered derate structure versus the current limp to 5 miles per hour, giving the driver more time and more power to get the truck to a safe location for repair.”
Brownfield Ag News: EPA Moves Forward with Guidance Addressing DEF Concern
“...EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the agency is taking action to protect American farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by DEF systems. ‘We’re putting out guidance today to the manufacturers (and) we’ve been in touch with the manufacturers already. This stuff has been vetted out in discussions with them to make sure that they’re ready for implementation, and there are no further approvals required.’”
1Truck US: EPA Unveils Diesel Exhaust Fluid Fix at Iowa State Fair
“Speaking alongside U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler at the Iowa State Fair, Zeldin unveiled EPA guidance directing engine and equipment manufacturers to update DEF system software in existing vehicles. The goal is to give operators more time to address system faults without abrupt shutdowns — and without compromising emissions standards.”
Radio Iowa: EPA Directs Diesel Engine Manufacturers to Change Emission Sensors
“The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has used a trip to Iowa to announce changes in federal regulations for vehicles that run on diesel. For a couple of decades tractors, trucks and other diesel-powered vehicles have had systems that inject a fluid into the exhaust to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, but sensors immediately slow down and even stall the engine when that fluid runs out. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said it means diesel equipment shuts down unnecessarily, ‘which has led to so much in lost money for Iowa farmers and truckers and so much more.’”
The Fence Post: Zeldin, Loeffler Announce Diesel Exhaust Fluid Policy
“At the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines today, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise diesel exhaust fluid system software in existing vehicles and equipment to prevent sudden shutdowns, giving operators more time to repair faults without impacting productivity or safety.”
Rural Radio: EPA Issues New Guidance for DEF
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidance aimed at preventing sudden shutdowns in diesel-powered vehicles and equipment due to diesel exhaust fluid system failures, a move the agency says will save farmers and truckers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost productivity.”