RADNOR, PA- Airgas, Inc. announced its plan to have 400 to 500 diesel-engine trucks with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology in its fleet by the end of 2010.

Airgas maintains one of the nation's largest truck fleets and will use its own recently-launched Airgas AiRx Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in the SCR-equipped trucks.

SCR technology reduces diesel exhaust pollutants by injecting diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into the exhaust stream to breakdown harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) into inert nitrogen and water.

"In an effort to reduce our fleet emissions, we took a close look at SCR technology and advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation, EGR, technology," said Tuffy Baum, national fleet manager for Airgas. "For us, SCR technology is the right choice as we can reduce each vehicle's NOx emissions by as much as 90 percent. We're also expecting to increase fuel economy by 5 percent. And, with SCR technology we'll be able to improve the service life of engine lubricants and filters which means reduced maintenance costs."

According to Baum, Airgas maintains an active fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles. He added that as diesel-engine trucks reach the end of their service life at Airgas, they will be replaced with new models using SCR systems. Beginning in January, new federal clean air regulations reduced allowable NOx emissions by new heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Most engine manufacturers (OEMs) are addressing the new EPA regulations by implementing SCR technology.

Airgas AiRx Diesel Exhaust Fluid is certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). API certification verifies that manufacturers and distributors are operating in compliance with industry standards and that DEF meets quality standards.