Adblue consumption is becoming an additional expense, particularly since the price of a liter tends to increase, thus representing a significant financial burden for the road transport . Find out everything you need to know about this new economic challenge and how to reduce its cost using different techniques and innovation.
How AdBlue works for trucks and heavy vehicles
Before sharing with you the consumption calculations and the methods to reduce it, it is important to understand how AdBlue works for trucks and heavy vehicles in the road sector and not for individuals.
What is the difference between truck and car?
Contrary to what one might believe, there is no difference in the composition of AdBlue whether it is intended for heavy vehicles or cars. It is a product composed of 65.7% demineralized water and 32.5% urea . It is not an additive as such, because it is not mixed directly with the fuel. Its function is to limit pollution from engines, only diesel since it will be of no use for gasoline engines. Injected into the exhaust, the product causes a chemical reaction which transforms the nitrogen oxides emitted by the diesel into water vapor and nitrogen. The real difference on the subject between heavy machinery and cars is the number of liters of AdBlue consumed .
An obligation for the road sector?
We often hear that the use of AdBlue is an obligation in the road sector. In reality, it's a little more complicated. To protect the planet and air quality, there are legal pollution called Euro standards. These are the standards that limit emissions of pollutants and fine particles from engines. The standard currently in force is the Euro 6 standard which has been applicable since 01/01/2014.
It stipulates in detail that diesel engines must emit a maximum of 0.4 g/kWh of NOx, 1.5 g/kWh of CO, 0.13 g/kWh of HC and 0.01 g/kWh of particles. The SCR (or selective catalytic reduction) system makes it possible to comply with these standards by reducing pollution and particulate emissions from engines. AdBlue since it is what initiates the chemical reaction responsible for the depollution of diesel vapors . It is therefore not mandatory as such, but its use is still essential, which comes at a price. Furthermore, recent engines equipped with an SCR system cannot operate without AdBlue anyway.
Calculate the AdBlue consumption of your heavy goods vehicles
Calculating your AdBlue consumption correctly is an essential issue for transport companies, because the price per liter of this product is increasing. This represents an additional financial burden to add to the price of fuel for road operators who already have a lot to do on the market.
How to calculate your truck consumption?
There is a simple method to estimate the average AdBlue consumption per vehicle in liters. In detail, simply calculate 5% of your fuel needs per 100 kilometers. If a vehicle's engine consumes 32 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, it consumes 1.6 liters of AdBlue per 100 kilometers. Although this is an average estimate, this calculation is relatively reliable.
What autonomy with a full tank of AdBlue?
Since its consumption is directly linked to that of diesel, the AdBlue autonomy is variable. Let's take the example of a heavy goods vehicle which consumes 1.6 AdBlue per 100 kilometers. If it has a tank with a capacity of 30 liters, our truck can drive for 1,875 kilometers. On average, you have to refill AdBlue every 4 or 5 fill-ups of diesel , which is far from being a small thing. The autonomy, with a full tank, does not only depend on the capacity of the tank, but also on the type of driving of the vehicle and its state of maintenance.
How to reduce the AdBlue consumption of your trucks?
AdBlue consumption requirements , there are several effective and simple solutions to implement.
Adopt eco-driving
AdBlue consumption of a car or truck depends on its diesel needs (not useful on petrol engines). To reduce the need for AdBlue and make the contents of the tank last longer, you must save on diesel. The first step to consuming less is to adopt eco-driving. Eco-driving consists of driving at a constant speed as much as possible, without acceleration or sudden braking. You must also turn off the engine for any stop longer than 20 seconds and limit the use of air conditioning. This way of driving saves on AdBlue and fuel. It also reduces the risk of accident by 15%, which is far from negligible and also allows savings on the price of insurance. A good way to protect lives and the planet while saving money.
Maintenance and loading of your heavy goods vehicles
In addition to driving environmentally friendly, it is important to properly maintain each vehicle to reduce the liters of diesel and AdBlue consumed . Tire pressure should be given special attention, as consumption increases when they are underinflated, as does the risk of an accident. Loading must also be optimized.
ECOLOW technology
Eco-driving and vehicle maintenance save AdBlue and diesel, but the results are limited. To complement them advantageously, there is a solution: the ECOLOW fuel saver .
The ECOLOW system is a patented module that complies with European CE, SEEE and RoHs standards . The box can be installed on the majority of brands on the market. What strongly differentiates ECOLOW from a traditional system is that it is non-intrusive. As it does not alter any part of the engine , the system preserves the manufacturer's warranty and insurance in the event of an accident.
ECOLOW makes it possible to optimize the calorific value of the fuel before combustion using an electromagnetic field. Simple and quick to install, it allows diesel savings of up to 7% in road transport, which automatically reduces AdBlue consumption .
The price of the ECOLOW module and its installation is quickly amortized, because this economizer has an unlimited lifespan. It is therefore a product that is part of a sustainable approach. Note that to guarantee results, the installation of the economizer must be carried out by a technician approved by the company.
In summary, AdBlue has become an important economic issue for the road transport sector , and the entire automotive sector. Essential for the proper functioning of vehicles equipped with SCR technology, it helps to comply with the pollution levels imposed by the Euro 6 standard and its price continues to increase. To reduce the use of AdBlue, you must consume less diesel using all the technologies and methods available. The ECOLOW economizer box is a patented solution whose installation is simple and quick. It is the only truly effective technology on the market. Do not hesitate to contact our teams to find out more and obtain information about our customers who are satisfied with their installations.