Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is Here!

It's finally here! Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel became available on Sunday, marking a major milestone in the march to make clean diesel engines widely available in the United States. The new clean-burning fuel has 97 percent less sulfur - down to 15 parts per million from 500 ppm - which means the new fuel is compatible with advanced clean diesel technologies such as particulate filters that would have been clogged by the sulfur in the old fuel. According to the National Resources Defense Council, the new diesel fuel will immediately cut soot emissions by 10 percent in any diesel vehicle, or up to 95 percent with a new generation of engines hitting the road in January.

The first passenger car to take advantage of the ULSD fuel is the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec sedan, though it will only meet emissions standards in 45 states. Mercedes is expected to add a urea-injection system to make its diesel engines 50-state compatible next year, when it will likely be joined by new diesel engines from Honda, Volkswagen, and GM, among others. Until these diesel offerings hit the market, the biggest impact will be in the heavy-duty vehicle sector, with over 8 million diesel-powered trucks and buses currently on the road filling up with the cleaner fuel. Look for the above label to denote pumps carrying ULSD fuel.