An Overview of Alternative Fuel Trucks and How They Are Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry

The trucking industry, which plays a vital role in the global economy in transporting goods across vast distances, is facing a significant challenge. With the rising costs of traditional fuels, insurance and maintenance, the cost of operating a truck is increasing year over year.

Among these increasing expenses, rising fuel costs (53.7% higher than in 2021) are of the biggest concern.. While fuel savings programs have emerged, trucking companies are actively seeking sustainable and cost-effective solutions to power their fleets and reduce the cost of trucking.

In recent years, alternative fuel trucks have emerged as promising options, offering environmental benefits and reducing operating costs. According to an ATRI report in 2022, 8.2% of respondent fleets included at least one truck powered by an alternative fuel source, an increase from 7% in 2021. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular alternative fuel trucks that are transforming the trucking landscape.

1. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Trucks

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks have gained considerable popularity as one of the leading alternatives to conventional diesel-powered vehicles. In fact, they were the most popular alternative fuel option according to the ATRI survey, at 6.2%. CNG is a clean-burning fuel that is abundant and domestically available. It has grown in popularity as the choice of alternative fuel due to low natural gas prices versus high diesel fuel rates.

Besides being much cheaper and resulting in lower operating costs for trucking companies, CNG trucks also produce significantly lower emissions than gasoline and diesel trucks, contributing to improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Battery Electric Trucks

Battery electric trucks are another emerging alternative fuel option that holds great potential for the trucking industry. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation sector significantly. They also deliver a much higher level of fuel efficiency and are also much more cost-effective on long-haul routes.

Although battery electric trucks have been slower to gain traction in the heavy-duty trucking market due to the limitations of battery technology (such as range and charging infrastructure),ongoing advancements are rapidly improving their viability. As battery technology improves and charging infrastructure expands, electric trucks are expected to play a crucial role in the future of freight transportation.

3. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Trucks

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucks are another alternative fuel option and are fueled by natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, making it easier to store and transport.

LNG trucks, similar to most alternative fuels, offer environmental benefits by emitting lower levels of greenhouse gases. They also provide longer driving ranges than CNG trucks, making them suitable for long-haul applications. However, the infrastructure for producing, storing, and distributing LNG is still developing, which can be a limiting factor in the widespread adoption of these trucks.

4. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks

Hydrogen fuel cell trucks are at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in the alternative fuel trucking landscape. These trucks use hydrogen gas, which is combined with oxygen from the air in a fuel cell to produce electricity, which powers the vehicle.

One major benefit of hydrogen fuel cell trucks is that they produce zero harmful emissions, as the only byproduct of the energy conversion process is water vapor. However, several challenges hinder widespread adoption, including the high cost of hydrogen production and the limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure, due to hydrogen fuel cells being a relatively new technology. However, as technology advances and the hydrogen ecosystem continues to develop, hydrogen fuel cell trucks may soon become a game-changer in the trucking industry.

The Trucking Industry is Changing

As we speak, the trucking industry is undergoing a transformation as the demand for more sustainable and cost-effective transportation solutions rises. Alternative fuel trucks offer a promising path forward, providing environmentally friendly options to combat rising fuel costs. As technology continues to progress, these next generation options will undoubtedly become more accessible and prevalent, revolutionizing the trucking industry.