The recently unveiled Starship 3.0 from Shell incorporates sustainable technology, such as renewable natural gas as its power source, building on the successes of its predecessors. The truck, which will now be powered by a Cummins X15N natural gas engine that will run on Shell Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), is commercially available and has a low carbon intensity rating, the company notes.

Shell Starship 3.0 will include components and features that promote lightweight and low aerodynamic drag, along with low rolling resistance tires from Bridgestone, according to Shell. The interior of the truck has been updated to make it comfortable for the driver on the road and inviting for passengers along for the ride.

Additionally, Shell Starship 3.0 will make a demonstration run on the West Coast in preparation for a cross-country demonstration run from San Diego, Calif, to Jacksonville, Fla. in August, as noted in a recent press release. The two previous cross-country runs have followed this route as well. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) will again monitor and verify the results.

Starship 3.0 will deliver a material demonstration of sustainable freight ton efficiency, utilizing the key performance metric, ton-miles of goods shifted per kilogram of CO² emitted. The truck aims to showcase how fleets can reduce their energy usage and carbon emissions, without losing focus on the cost of their operations. The natural gas engine using Shell R-CNG will reduce emissions when compared with a diesel engine.

Additional details about the equipment on Shell Starship 3.0 and information about the test drivers will be announced soon.