AdBlue system failures raise costs for Finnish trucking operators
Failures involving AdBlue systems in heavy-duty trucks are imposing substantial costs on road freight operators in Finland, particularly during winter conditions, according to findings highlighted by the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
Research by the Finnish Transport and Logistics Association (SKAL) estimates that direct and indirect costs associated with these failures exceeded €50 million in 2025.
The problems concern emissions-control systems used in diesel-powered trucks. AdBlue is a urea-based fluid used in selective catalytic reduction systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicle exhaust gases.
System malfunctions can disrupt vehicle operations, requiring repairs and potentially leaving trucks unavailable for scheduled transport services.
Winter conditions expose technical problems
The SKAL survey gathered responses from 755 member companies, with four out of five reporting occasional or recurring problems involving their vehicles’ emissions-control systems.
Respondents associated many of the failures with cold weather, particularly when trucks were parked or operated over short distances. Problems were reported even among operators following recommended maintenance schedules, while older vehicles generally experienced fewer difficulties than newer trucks.
The survey identified vehicle downtime, repair delays, spare parts availability and interrupted deliveries among the consequences for transport businesses.
SKAL estimated direct repair expenses at approximately €36 million in 2025, alongside another €15 million in indirect costs, including overtime and lost business. The combined estimate covers approximately 9,200 Finnish transport companies.
Similar concerns have also been reported in Norway, where around 60% of respondents to a survey by the Norwegian Road Transport Association (NLF) identified problems involving exhaust-gas cleaning systems.
Industry calls for regulatory changes
SKAL is calling for European vehicle emissions regulations to better reflect operating conditions in northern countries, particularly prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
Its proposals include allowing reagents with improved resistance to freezing and giving greater consideration to extreme cold under the Euro 7 regulatory framework.
Petri Murto, Director of Expert Services at SKAL, said the objective was to maintain environmental standards while ensuring that the technologies required to meet them operate reliably in real-world conditions.
The findings highlight the operational and financial challenges associated with emissions-control equipment in heavy-duty road freight vehicles, particularly in colder European markets.
