Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is the primary
highway diesel fuel produced.

The full transition to ULSD fuel is complex and involves coordination at many levels. Under the EPA standards:

• Effective June 1, 2006, refiners and importers nationwide are now required to ensure that at least 80 percent of the volume of the highway diesel fuel they produce or import is ULSD-compliant.
• Diesel fuel classified as ULSD is flowing to distribution and marketing points downstream from refineries (i.e., pipelines, distributors, terminals and transporters) and is now available at many retail locations.
• Diesel fuel classified as Low Sulfur Diesel fuel may still be sold at retail locations outside of California until December 1, 2010.
• The State of Alaska received an extension of the highway fuel 15 ppm requirement until 2010.

Although ULSD fuel is the dominant highway diesel fuel produced, EPA does not require service stations and truck stops to sell ULSD fuel. Therefore, ULSD fuel might not be available at every service station or truck stop. Diesel retailers may choose to sell Low Sulfur Diesel fuel instead of ULSD fuel until December 1, 2010, when only ULSD fuel will be available for highway use. The industries involved in the transition are doing all they can to minimize potential inconveniences during the conversion to ULSD fuel.

View PDF of Pump Labels

Federal regulations require the labeling of diesel fuel pumps to specify the type of fuel dispensed by each pump (except in California where all diesel fuel must be ULSD). Similar vehicle instrument panel and fuel inlet/fill cap labeling is mandated for 2007 and later model year highway engines and vehicles that require ULSD fuel.* Consumers are advised to check the pump and
vehicle labels to ensure they are refueling with the proper diesel fuel consistent with their
vehicle warranties.

Data from EPA's ULSD pump survey from the Fourth Quarter of 2006 through the First Quarter of 2008 indicate that nearly 97 percent of highway diesel fuel pumps are now dispensing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).

The EPA standards provide strong incentives for suppliers to provide the proper ULSD fuel formulation. Civil penalties of up to $32,500 per violation per day can be assessed for non-compliance with EPA’s ULSD fuel standards, or for misrepresentation of the sulfur level of
diesel fuel.

Click here for downloadable pump labels in TIF, JPG and EPS formats.

Click here for EPA Winterization Standards Letter 11-30-07 (PDF).

*Exception – Some 2007 model year medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks may be equipped with 2006 engines and emission systems. These vehicles are not required to use ULSD fuel.