AdBlue: making trucks greener

Modern diesel engines – such as the Euro 5 and 6 drivetrains in the latest MAN trucks – are cleaner and greener than ever before, thanks to new technologies and the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) together with the AdBlue exhaust gas treatment solution.

The transport sector is undergoing a transformation as it shifts towards electric vehicle (EV) technology. However, internal combustion engines will still be with us for quite some time – which isn’t a bad thing. Cleaner diesel combustion engines are already playing a pivotal role in driving the industry towards a more environmentally benign future. Without AdBlue and other exhaust gas treatment technologies, this journey to greener pastures will be impossible.

The shift to electrification cannot happen overnight and will necessitate a major overhaul of the transport landscape, including growing the nationwide recharging network. On the road to our electrified future, the modern combustion engine has a critical role to play.

“Although electric powertrains in commercial vehicles will soon be as normal as the smartphone in your pocket, the internal combustion engine (ICE) is still needed and is being further developed,” says Livingstone Mulaudzi, head of product management at MAN Automotive (South Africa).

MAN’s advanced and efficient Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel engines are an example of that development. “AdBlue is central to this cleaner and greener technology,” Mulaudzi expands. “Furthermore, our modern diesel engines that require AdBlue benefit the environment directly with every new vehicle put into service.”

So what exactly is AdBlue? “It is a non-hazardous, biodegradable product – made from demineralised water and urea – that works alongside SCR technology to convert harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) in emissions into harmless nitrogen and oxygen,” says Mulaudzi.

AdBlue functions with most modern diesel engines, which utilise SCR to reduce emissions. “The product is injected from a dedicated AdBlue tank into the exhaust line, upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. Under heat, urea decomposes into ammonia, which reacts chemically with NOx to convert both compounds into nitrogen and water vapour. This is a major step in improving air quality and shows the commercial vehicle industry’s commitment to a greener future,” Mulaudzi explains.

The most important consideration for drivers is that AdBlue is not an additive, nor a fuel in its own right. It should never be added to the diesel tank, and neither should diesel be added to the AdBlue tank.

Regulations require the AdBlue warning light to come on long before the tank runs dry, so drivers should never have to worry about running out on the road. After the first warning light, there are several further visual and audible warnings, followed by electronic engine performance limitations. “If all these warnings are ignored, the vehicle will eventually be immobilised and the engine won’t start until the AdBlue has been topped up, so it makes sense for drivers to carry an emergency AdBlue container,” advises Mulaudzi.

“Considering the various vehicle warnings and performance checks, it is highly unlikely a driver would ever find themselves in that position in the first place, but such an emergency measure would significantly extend the trip to the nearest refuelling point. AdBlue consumption is equivalent to a range of 4 to 6% of diesel consumption, depending on the load and quality of diesel used. So, for instance, for every 100 litres of diesel consumed, the vehicle will consume about four to six litres of AdBlue,” he advises.

AdBlue is available at all MAN dealerships and, according to Mulaudzi, represents the future of diesel-based trucking. “AdBlue will become a way of life in the truck business. It doesn’t negatively affect total cost of ownership (TCO) – in fact, our latest engines are more efficient than their predecessors,” he asserts.

MAN’s TGM and TGX ranges boast Euro 5 and 6 engines, which both require AdBlue to clean the exhaust gases and contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions that include greenhouse gases.

Mulaudzi emphasises that while South Africa is still a Euro 2 market,  MAN is taking a longer-term view. “Not only does MAN make the country’s most economical trucks – a fact proven at Truck Test 2022 – but we also pride ourselves on being environmental champions. We are committed to bringing the most environmentally friendly vehicles to this country, so we are already investing in Euro 6 technology,” he reveals.

“Customers can be reassured that it is neither costly nor massively inconvenient to introduce AdBlue into a fleet, and the environmental benefits are truly significant,” Mulaudzi reiterates.