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FAQs
How much AdBlue will I need?
AdBlue usage is approximately 4% of diesel usage for Euro 4 vehicles and up to 6% for Euro 5. For a fully loaded 44mt unit travelling 100,000 miles per year this equates to around 2-2,500 litres per year. The dosing rate is set by the vehicle manufacturer and controlled by the engine management systems.
What is the most economical way to buy AdBlue?
This depends on the number of vehicles operating. If there are only a few vehicles then IBCs or drums may be more economical than a fixed storage tank. Cans are always the most expensive way and are intended for short term or emergency use only. You can get a better price for AdBlue by either buying more or by committing to take an agreed volume over a period.
Tennants are looking to form long term partnerships with fleet operators who can see the benefit in dealing directly with an AdBlue manufacturer.
Will AdBlue be available at filling stations?
AdBlue is slowly being made available at filling stations as the number of SCR vehicles increases, however it will always be most economical to have facilities at your depots.
Is AdBlue a fuel additive?
No. The AdBlue is stored in a separate tank and we have nozzle systems available to prevent the wrong liquid from being dispensed into the wrong tank.
I have SCR trucks on order, what do I need to do now?
Contact us so that we can discuss your needs and find the best solution for your business. Greenox AdBlue is already available at all of our UK sites. Prior to the arrival of your vehicles you may wish to consider training drivers and operatives that will be involved with handling of AdBlue.
How does AdBlue work?
The AdBlue is sprayed into the exhaust gas between the engine manifold and catalyst, where it is hydrolysed by the heat of the exhaust stream into Ammonia. The Ammonia reacts on the catalyst surface with Nitrous Oxides to give harmless Nitrogen and water vapour.
Do I have to buy SCR vehicles?
No. Although SCR is the system that has been adopted by the majority of manufacturers there is an alternative system, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). EGR cools and recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas into the intake air. This reduces the oxygen content of the intake air, resulting in a lower combustion temperature. EGR uses an additional particulate trap to remove soot, formed from the partly burned fuel as a result of the engine being tuned to reduce emissions, rather than for optimized fuel consumption.
What about oil changes?
Your truck supplier will be able to advise further on this. As the SCR system is a cleaner and less aggressive system some manufacturers have increased the oil change intervals.
What will happen if I run my vehicles without AdBlue?
This is not recommended and could cause warranty problems with your truck supplier. Onboard diagnostics will soon be fitted to all commercial vehicles which will measure NOx levels at the exhaust. Running without AdBlue will cause the NOx level to be above tolerance and the engine power will be de-rated until the NOx level falls i.e. when AdBlue is filled up. This will also happen with EGR trucks if the NOx level is too high, meaning that the vehicle will need to be taken to a service centre.
Can I make my own AdBlue?
Commercially available technical grade or fertilizer grade urea is not suitable for the production of AdBlue and the use of such can irreversibly damage the catalytic converter and reduce engine power by blocking the catalyst pores. The small cost saving that could be achieved is not worth the risk when a new catalyst could cost in excess of £3,000.
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