On Good Friday in April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did a classic “news dump” and finally revealed what the 2027 Greenhouse Gas Emissions regulations will look like. These regulations, anticipated by many, signal a massive technological transformation away from fossil fuels to zero-emission propulsion technologies within the next decade. This monumental shift, estimated to cost about $1 trillion, primarily relies on funding from the private sector.
The Infrastructure Challenge
One of the most significant hurdles in this transition is the need for more electric and hydrogen infrastructure. Currently, virtually no infrastructure exists or is being built to support the widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles, which presents a substantial problem for the trucking industry.
Net-Zero Emissions: A Race Against Time
The urgency in the battle against climate change is undeniable. We should have been at this point in the transition to Net Zero 20 years ago. Our global economy hinges on getting this transition right, yet current government mandates don’t seem to strike the necessary balance. Policymakers need to acknowledge that diesel fuel and diesel engines will not disappear overnight. A phased-in policy approach could leverage existing diesel technologies while ramping up zero-emission alternatives.
Emphasizing Electrification for Urban and Regional Fleets
Electrifying urban, short, and regional-haul fleets is a sensible and achievable goal. Battery-electric trucks can be integrated into these applications reasonably quickly and easily. However, long-haul applications pose a different challenge. Despite advances in zero-emissions vehicle technology, current battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains barely meet the needs of North American long-haul fleets, exacerbated by the need for charging infrastructure.
Three Key Strategies for Cleaner Long-Haul Trucking
- Swedish Freight Efficiency Volvo’s new D17 diesel engine exemplifies a practical transitional technology. Developed in response to Swedish laws allowing longer tandem trailers, the D17 engine is lighter, greener, more fuel-efficient, and more potent than its predecessor. This engine enables one Volvo FH16 tractor to pull as much cargo as three conventional tractor-trailers while burning less fuel and producing fewer emissions. Such an approach could be highly effective in North America if longer combination vehicles were more widely permitted.
- Renewable Diesel Fuel A study from the American Transportation Research Institute highlights the environmental benefits of renewable diesel fuel. Widescale use of renewable diesel could economically benefit the trucking industry while generating emissions reductions comparable to battery-electric vehicles without the negative upstream environmental impact of battery production. Transitioning to renewable diesel could be faster and more cost-effective than shifting entirely to zero-emissions powertrains.
- Autonomous Technology Autonomous vehicle control systems can significantly enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. A white paper by Aurora suggests that autonomous trucks could achieve up to 17% higher fuel economy than human-driven trucks at highway speeds. They could also reduce idling, traffic congestion, and deadhead miles while enabling eco-driving practices.
Buzznerd Trucks