Stricter emissions standards, reduced tax deductibility, the hunt for “fake” hybrids, technological advances… There is no doubt that many changes will continue to impact company cars in the coming years. In the face of the climate emergency, electric vehicles are at the forefront of these developments. But what about the new generation of diesel cars?

As we know, the ambitions of the new Belgian government are in line with the desire to further “green” company vehicles. But while “electrifying” car fleets appears to be the most logical investment in the long term, some companies are being slow to make the leap.
The reasons are numerous and specific to the reality of each company based on its activities, whether it is a TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) considered still too high compared to a petrol or diesel car, or the lack of electric alternatives compared to so-called traditional models. Although, in both cases, the situation is likely to change rapidly.

AdBlue: a solution for the future

In general, diesel engines produce high emissions of NOx (nitrogen oxides). For this reason, European legislation has imposed increasingly stringent requirements on this type of vehicle since the 1990s. The aim is to encourage players in the automotive sector to transition engines and fuels towards increasingly environmentally-friendly solutions. AdBlue is one of the responses to these requirements.

At Network Fleet Card, we are always looking for innovative solutions to support companies in an efficient and sustainable way. Drivers of vehicles equipped with an SCR catalyst can therefore fill up with AdBlue with complete peace of mind thanks to our extensive network.

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AdBlue is specifically designed for recent diesel vehicles. These are equipped with a catalyst using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. Today, almost all SCR vehicles meet the Euro 6 standard. All heavy-duty vehicles (+3.5T), some light-duty vehicles and recent diesel passenger cars use AdBlue.

But what is AdBlue?

AdBlue is the juxtaposition of “Ad” as in “additive” and “Blue” for the blue colour of the mixture. AdBlue, designed for recent diesel vehicles, is a liquid composed of water and urea. It treats the vehicle’s exhaust gases by converting the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in order to reduce the level of nitrogen oxides, a source of atmospheric pollution and primarily responsible for the formation of smog.

How does it actually work?

AdBlue can only be used in vehicles equipped with an SCR catalyst. Before the exhaust gases leave the vehicle, the nitrogen oxide is stored in the SCR catalyst. When a predefined amount of substances has been collected in the catalyst, AdBlue is injected from a special tank. Under the influence of temperature, the mixture of demineralised water and pure urea generates a chemical reaction, which breaks down the nitrogen oxides and converts them into water vapour and nitrogen, which are less polluting.

Fill up with AdBlue using Network Fleet Card

Network Fleet Card enables you to take advantage of a wide range of AdBlue products. It meets all quality requirements and is certified according to ISO and DIN standards. You have two options for filling up:
Filling up at the pump thanks to our extensive network of stations where AdBlue® is available.

  • From Shell to DATS24, your Network Fleet Card allows you and your employees to fill up at many stations in Belgium and Europe. You can locate these stations on our site by specifying AdBlue in the search, but also using your smartphone: indeed, users of the Network Fleet App have the option to search for stations offering AdBlue at the pump.
  • If you have a light commercial vehicle or a car, be sure to check that the pump you are using is not specifically reserved for heavy goods vehicles, the filling specifications of which differ due to the size of the tank.

You can also buy it in a 5 or 10-litre pack container in the shop of one of the stations in our vast network (Shell, Esso, Q8). Always refer to the owner’s manual.

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AdBlue in daily use

  • The cap of the AdBlue tank can usually be identified by its blue colour.
  • Diesel vehicles that use AdBlue have a warning light on the dashboard. It indicates when your car is low on AdBlue. Only add AdBlue when the warning light is lit; if the tank is too full, this will affect composition and quality. You need to fill up on AdBlue approximately every 10,000 to 25,000 km, depending on the vehicle model, the diesel quality and driver behaviour.
  • The location of where to fill the tank differs from car to car: behind the fuel flap, sometimes also under the bonnet or in the boot.
  • Never pour diesel into the blue opening and never pour AdBlue into the fuel tank.

Did you know?

  • AdBlue is a registered trademark of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). It safeguards the standard by ensuring that product quality requirements are met.
  • AdBlue is composed of 32.5% urea and 67.5% demineralised water.
  • Its scientific name is AUS32 (or Aqueous Urea Solution). The urea used for AdBlue is a high-purity synthetic product, generally made from natural gas.
  • AdBlue is classified as a non-hazardous product. However, it must be handled with care: it is corrosive to paintwork and leaves marks on textiles. If your hands are in direct contact with AdBlue, rinse thoroughly with water as it is irritating to the skin.

Learn more about our AdBlue offering

Does your company have vehicles equipped with an SCR catalyst or plan to purchase such vehicles soon? Would you like to find out about our extensive AdBlue offering in Belgium and Europe? Contact us by email. We would be happy to answer your questions: keyaccountcardenquiries-be@shell.com