Recent research unveils significant safety issues with AdBlue in industrial vehicles used across Europe.
- ESTA’s survey gathered responses from 55 companies in 10 countries, revealing widespread concerns.
- A considerable number of on-road breakdowns are attributed to AdBlue-related issues.
- Breakdowns often lead to compromised safety in cranes and haulage operations.
- There is a growing call for urgent solutions from manufacturers due to ongoing risks.
Recent findings from a pan-European survey conducted by ESTA indicate troubling concerns regarding the use of AdBlue in industrial vehicles, highlighting a significant issue that needs immediate attention. The study gathered responses from 55 companies across 10 countries, with the majority of feedback originating from the UK, the Netherlands, and France, presenting a comprehensive overview of the situation.
AdBlue, a blend of water and urea, is used in diesel engines to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions through a process called selective catalytic reduction. However, frequent malfunctions in the AdBlue system are leading to serious operational disruptions, contributing to a significant number of vehicle breakdowns. According to the survey, approximately one-third of all on-road breakdowns are linked to these issues, causing widespread concern within the industry.
Companies from the crane and haulage sectors have reported incidents involving mobile and crawler cranes, trucks, and self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). The primary problem cited was breakdowns on public roads, with nearly half of the respondents stating that such incidents have compromised safety. In some instances, this has even resulted in dangerous interruptions in critical operations such as wind turbine installations and port load-outs.
The frequency and seriousness of these breakdowns are further underscored by reports of multiple incidents in recent years. Remarkably, three companies reported experiencing more than 20 AdBlue-related breakdowns in the past two years alone, underlining the urgency of addressing this issue.
The malfunction of the AdBlue system, often due to the engine not reaching sufficient temperatures to clear crystallisation, can cause a loss of power and eventual engine shut down, posing significant danger. ESTA’s director, Ton Klijn, emphasised the critical nature of this issue, asserting the need for prompt action and highlighting the potential solution of developing a temporary engine override system. However, there is resistance among manufacturers to invest in redesigning diesel engines, with the focus shifting towards electric powertrains. Some products on the market claim to offer a solution, including variants of AdBlue like Optispray and Effinox, which aim to prevent and remove problematic deposits.
The escalating safety concerns surrounding AdBlue necessitate immediate and decisive action to mitigate risks in industrial vehicle operations.
