Sylvie Willis
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel with a substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been of the ULSD type. In the United States, all diesel fuel sold (except in California and rural Alaska) must be ULSD, and pumps must be labelled as such. ULSD is also available in Mexico, India, and Pakistan. Consumers with 2007 or later model year diesel vehicles should only fuel them with ULSD. It can be purchased from gas stations such as Costco, Shell, and Mobil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content |
| Year of Introduction | 2005-2007 |
| Sulfur Content | Less than 50ppm, or 0.005% |
| Benefits | Cleaner burning, reduced pollution, less wear on engine components, improved human health, reduced carbon emissions |
| Drawbacks | Reduced lubricity |
| Usage | Mandatory for diesel vehicles from 2007 onwards in the US, Europe, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, Mexico, and Central America |
| Availability | Widely available at gas stations, especially in urban areas |
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What You'll Learn
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) availability in Mexico
As of 2024, Mexico has not fully transitioned to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). However, ULSD is available at some gas stations in the country.
ULSD is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel that contains 97% less sulfur than low-sulfur diesel (LSD). It was developed to allow the use of improved pollution control devices that reduce diesel emissions more effectively. Consumers with 2007 or later model-year diesel vehicles should only fuel them with ULSD.
In Mexico, ULSD is known as Ultra Bajo Azufre Diésel, UBA Diésel, or Diésel de Ultra Bajo Azufre (DUBA). It is important to note that most gas stations and pumps in Mexico do not provide information about the sulfur content of their diesel fuel. However, some gas station chains that offer ULSD include Mobil, Valero, and Repsol. Mobil gas stations, in particular, are known to always sell ULSD, and they clearly advertise this on their pylon signs and pumps. Some Pemex gas stations also offer ULSD, but it is not always advertised on their pylon signs.
When looking for ULSD in Mexico, it is recommended to stick with Mobil gas stations, especially in cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City, where it is less likely to find ULSD at Pemex stations. International stations such as Chevron, Gulf, Exxon, Arco, and G500 are also more likely to offer ULSD than Pemex.
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ULSD availability in the US
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in North America has been ULSD. This move to lower sulfur content allows for the use of advanced emissions control technologies, reducing harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed ULSD as a new standard for the sulfur content in on-road diesel fuel in 2006, and it has been mandatory since 2007. Since December 1, 2010, all highway diesel fuel sold nationwide, except in California, has been ULSD. Pumps dispensing ULSD must be labelled as such.
ULSD is widely available across the US, and several large fuel retailers, including Costco, Pilot, FJ, TA, Speedway, and Shell, sell ULSD. Consumers with 2007 or later model year diesel vehicles should only fuel them with ULSD, as it is a cleaner-burning fuel that contains 97% less sulfur than low-sulfur diesel. ULSD is also safe to use in older diesel vehicles.
ULSD has been reported to have lower lubricity than higher-sulfur fuels, which can cause issues with fuel pumps in older diesel vehicles. However, additives such as Optilube have been developed to address this issue.
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Benefits of ULSD
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all of the petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been of the ULSD type.
Improved fuel efficiency
ULSD burns more cleanly, which means it produces less soot and fewer emissions. This leads to better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs over the life of the engine.
Improved engine performance
ULSD has a higher cetane rating than high-sulfur diesel (HSD), which ignites more quickly and burns more efficiently. This leads to better engine performance and smoother operation.
Reduced emissions
ULSD produces significantly fewer emissions than HSD, including particulate matter (soot), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). This is better for the environment and human health.
Advanced emissions control technologies
The use of ULSD allows for the application of advanced emissions control technologies, such as catalytic converters and particulate filters, which can further reduce harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
Compliance with regulations
The transition to ULSD helps to comply with stringent emission standards and regulations, such as the Clean Air Act and its amendments, which aim to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.
While ULSD offers these benefits, it is important to consider potential drawbacks, such as increased fuel processing costs, altered lubricity, and higher water affinity, which can contribute to tank corrosion.
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Gas stations with ULSD
As of December 1, 2010, all diesel fuel sold in the U.S. must be ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), except in California. ULSD is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel that contains 97% less sulfur than low-sulfur diesel (LSD). It is safe to use with older diesel engines, but consumers with 2007 or newer diesel vehicles should only use ULSD.
ULSD is widely available at gas stations in the U.S. and can be identified by EPA-authorized labels on the pumps disclosing the fuel type and sulfur content. These labels can typically be found on the upper two-thirds of the pump.
In Mexico, ULSD availability may vary, and it is not legally required to be sold at every gas station. Travelers with newer diesel vehicles requiring ULSD are advised to stick to Mobil gas stations, which consistently offer ULSD. Mobil stations can be found in urban areas and occasionally in rural regions. PEMEX stations in Guadalajara or Mexico City may also offer ULSD, but availability is less certain.
For those traveling to other international destinations with a diesel vehicle, it is important to research the availability of ULSD in the specific countries or regions. For example, in Brazil, diesel fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 50 ppm has been widely available since 2013, while in Chile, diesel fuel in Santiago must meet a standard of less than 15 ppm, and in the rest of the country, it is limited to less than 50 ppm.
In summary, ULSD is widely available in the U.S. and can be identified by labels on the pumps. When traveling internationally, particularly to Mexico, it is advisable to plan ahead and locate gas stations that offer ULSD to avoid potential issues with newer diesel vehicles.
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ULSD for older vehicles
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel that contains 97% less sulfur than low-sulfur diesel (LSD). ULSD was first introduced in 2005-2007 in various countries, including the US, Canada, Taiwan, and the European Union. Since then, it has become the standard diesel fuel for on-road vehicles in these regions.
While ULSD is generally safe to use in older diesel engines, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Some older vehicles and equipment may experience a small reduction in particulate matter when using ULSD. Additionally, operators of old diesel engines may need to replace gaskets and seals, as very old gaskets may shrink and leak when running on low-sulfur fuels. However, the EPA and the Engine Manufacturers Association do not anticipate significant problems burning ULSD in old engines.
One of the main concerns with using ULSD in older vehicles is the issue of lubricity. Sulfur acts as a lubricant in diesel fuel, and reducing the sulfur content can decrease the fuel's lubricating properties. This can potentially lead to increased wear and tear on engine components. However, modern ULSD formulations have improved lubricity compared to early versions, and most diesel fuels today have acceptable lubricity for older engines.
It is worth noting that biodiesel, which contains ethanol, should be avoided in older engines as it can attack and shrink the older seals in the fuel system. Overall, while ULSD can generally be used in older diesel vehicles, it is important to be mindful of potential issues and take appropriate measures, such as using lubricity additives, to ensure the smooth operation of older engines.
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Frequently asked questions
Since 2010, all diesel fuel sold in the U.S. must be ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) except in California and Alaska. Pumps dispensing ULSD must be labelled as such.
Ultra-low sulfur diesel is available at Mobil stations in cities and towns in Mexico. PEMEX stations may also sell ULSD, but some still offer high sulfur diesel.
Since 2009, the Euro V fuel standard has been in effect in Europe, reducing the maximum sulfur content in diesel to 10 ppm.
