Newest Technology Clean Diesel Trucks Offer Greatest Opportunity for Clean Air and Fuel Saving Benefits

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2017 — The Diesel Technology Forum today issued the following statement on the occasion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing regarding heavy duty emissions standards:

The greatest benefits for the environment and for trucking customers lie in the adoption of the new generation of clean diesel technology, which would be slowed if the current requirements regarding glider vehicles were changed.

Nationwide, diesel is the primary platform for commercial vehicles. Thirty percent of those in operation today are of the newest generation clean diesel technology, which matches near-zero emissions with advanced fuel savings capabilities.

“Almost 3 million heavy-duty diesel commercial vehicles introduced in the U.S. from 2011 through 2016 are now on the road, powered by the latest generation clean diesel engines. These trucks have delivered important benefits in the form of cleaner air, fewer carbon dioxide emissions and dramatic fuel savings.  Over a five-year period, the newest generation commercial vehicles have saved 4.2 billion gallons of diesel fuel, and reduced 43 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), 21 million tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 1.2 million tonnes of particulate matter (PM),” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

The benefits of new clean diesel trucks expand every year. The United States is four years into the first-ever fuel economy requirement for commercial vehicles, and the benefits are substantial: an estimated savings of over 530 million barrels of crude oil between 2014 and 2018, which translates into $50 billion in direct fuel savings by equipment owners. The second phase of these fuel economy standards for commercial vehicles is estimated to save 2 billion barrels of crude oil, translating into $170 billion in direct fuel savings for truck owners over the lifetime of the rule (from 2018 to 2027). According to recent estimates, a clean diesel engine will power 96 percent of these trucks. (The Fuels Institute/Navigant Research)

The greatest benefits for both truckers and for society come from replacing older technology vehicles with the newest generation of clean diesel technology vehicles. The adoption more advanced clean diesel truck engines and emissions control systems into the nation’s trucking fleet over the last five years is now at a 30 percent level. This upswing has yielded significant emission reductions and substantial fuel savings, according to new research commissioned by the Diesel Technology Forum.

“Because diesel overwhelmingly dominates the heavy-duty truck sector and is also the number one power source for medium-duty vehicles, the transition to newer generations of clean diesel technology (model years 2011 and later) is significant. The 30 percent national average is up from just 25.7 percent last year. The research also estimated that significant further benefits would accrue to communities across the country if more of these newer generation clean diesel trucks enter into service,” continued Schaeffer.

The heavy-duty trucking benefits research was conducted by IHS Markit, a global technical marketing research firm headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. State rankings data is based on the Diesel Technology Forum’s analysis of IHS Markit vehicles in operation data representing Class 3-8 diesel trucks from model year 2011 through 2016 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through December 31, 2016.

“The U.S. trucking fleet is transitioning to newer clean diesel technology which means immediate fuel savings, lower greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air,” said Schaeffer. “This newest generation of clean diesel trucks have NOx emissions that are 99 percent lower than previous generations along with 98 percent fewer PM emissions, resulting in significant clean air benefits throughout the United States.”

Beginning in 2011, all heavy-duty diesel trucks sold had to meet NOx emissions of no more than 0.20 grams per brake horsepower hour (g/BHP-hr.). This is in addition to particulate emissions levels of no more than 0.01 g/HP-hr. established in 2007.

About The Diesel Technology Forum
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit http://www.dieselforum.org.