As Zeldin said in a speech at the Iowa State Fair August 12th, “We have heard loud and clear from small businesses across the United States that the current DEF system is unacceptable. 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. Today, we are responding to those concerns by calling on manufacturers to take action to update their software and eliminate the unnecessary sudden loss of power and frustrating shutdowns that too many Americans have experienced.” 

Model year 2027 vehicles will come with the software changes already installed.  Meanwhile machines from previous model years, according to the agency’s press release, “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.”

Scott Mason, EPA Region 6 Administrator said of the rules changes, "This new guidance especially helps farmers and ranchers, but really anyone who relies on a diesel engine vehicle to get their work done. It really gives them much more time to repair this issue.  So by providing reasonable time to make repairs, we can keep operations rolling while still reducing emissions from diesel engines." Region 6 includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and 66 Tribal Nations.

EPA’s website pertaining to Diesel Exhaust Fluid is available for additional information. 

Diesel Exhaust Fluid, when added to the polluting vapors put out by diesel engines, helps lessen the harm to climate and to human and animal health posed by engine exhaust. It helps reduce Nitrogen Oxide emissions by 90 percent and increases fuel efficiency.