In the United States (US), Energy Vision, a sustainability non-governmental organization (NGO) has released a report assessing ways to replace heavy-duty diesel trucks built before 2013. Of the non-fossil fuel alternatives the report evaluated, renewable natural gas (RNG) aka biomethane was the overall winner.
The Energy Vision report, “A Path to a Healthier America: Ditching Old Diesel Trucks,” focuses on replacing 130,000 heavy-duty diesel vehicles built before 2013 in 31 highly populated American counties, including the ten largest metro areas.
These trucks have the worst air emissions of all vehicles on American roads, yet 2.4 million of them still operate nationwide.
Diesel trucks emit carcinogenic particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other harmful chemicals that contribute to smog and acid rain, as well as high greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Of the non-fossil fuel alternatives the Energy Vision report evaluated — battery electric vehicles (BEVs), new diesel models running on renewable diesel (RD) made from vegetable oils and animal fats, and compressed natural gas trucks running on renewable natural gas (RNG) made from organic wastes — RNG was the overall winner.
RNG is in the sweet spot for replacing the oldest, dirtiest diesel trucks. They cost far less than EVs, perform better, and can have the greatest climate benefits. In heavy transport, the smart money should be on RNG, said report author Michael Lerner, Energy Vision’s Research and Publications Director.
Limited availability and expensive
Electric trucks are by far the most expensive option for replacing diesel trucks, costing around US$250,000 more. EV trucks have limited availability and haven’t performed as well as diesels.
While their tailpipe emissions are zero, much of their electricity still comes from fossil fuels. They also emit non-exhaust particulate pollution from tyre and road wear.
The study found running newer, cleaner diesel engines on RD would yield 66 percent of the health benefits of switching to heavy-duty EVs, and up to 86 percent reduction in GHG emissions compared to fossil diesel — without electric trucks’ big upfront costs.
Potentially the lowest lifecycle GHG emissions
Compressed natural gas (CNG) powered trucks running on RNG are widely used, perform as well as diesel counterparts, and have potentially the lowest lifecycle GHG emissions of any option.
While CNG-powered trucks cost US$35,000–US$75,000 more than new diesels, that cost differential is more than offset by lower fuel costs.
Replacing 130,000 old diesel trucks with new RNG models would deliver 88 percent of the health benefits of electric trucks, annually preventing over 100 deaths, 230 hospital ER visits, and 660 asthma cases, saving US$2 billion in healthcare costs, the study found.
The presentation is clear, the case is compelling, and the bottom line is clear. This Energy Vision report tells us that we need to get older, highly polluting diesel trucks off our highways as quickly as possible. Thanks to this report, health professionals, policymakers, and truck fleet operators now have the evidence they need to quantify diesel trucks’ impacts, assess their options, and take actions that improve the health of all Americans, and especially the health of our nation’s children, said Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSC, FAAP, Director of Boston College’s Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good.
