WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America believes it has launched the first operating retail bulk dispenser of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in the U.S.

Unveiled this week at TA’s location in Ann Arbor, Mich., the 275-gallon dispenser from Colonial Chemical has a weights and measures-certified meter, which TA thinks is also a first.

DEF will be required in all SCR commercial diesel engines hitting the market after Jan. 1, 2010, except Navistar, which has opted to continue with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), which does not require DEF.

DEF will be dosed at about two or three gallons (from on-board tanks ranging anywhere between six and 23 gallons, depending on the application) for every 100 gallons of diesel. (for the complete story on DEF infastructure and implimentation, click here).

TravelCenters, meanwhile, announced that prepackaged 2.5-gallon containers of DEF have arrived at its LaVergne, Tenn., distribution warehouse, and it will immediately begin supplying TA and Petro Stopping Centers locations. All of TA’s 234 locations and all of TA’s more than 400 Road Squad emergency roadside assistance vehicles are expected to have DEF supplies available by early June.

If you buy a truck using SCR next year, you’ll have to fill up with DEF.

Originally planned for the second half of 2009, the bulk DEF dispensing units will eventually be installed near diesel pumps.

The Ann Arbor bulk dispenser has not been set because the unit is still in test, a TA spokesman said. A 2.5-gallon jug of DEF sells for $9.99, or about $4 per gallon.

"TravelCenters of America has been a part of the DEF discussions longer than anyone in the industry," said Jim Spooner, Colonial’s vice president and general manager. "Their locations offer consumers more choices because they can distribute bulk, prepackaged product, top-off fill and emergency fill services like no one else."

Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, TA operates travel and truck stops in 41 states and Canada under the TravelCenters of America and Petro brands.