What’s the alternative? A look at hydrogen, natural gas and zero-emissions trucks
Physicists tend to be long-term thinkers. If you recall, I mentioned in January 2010 that we would eventually end up using hydrogen fuel for our vehicles and nuclear energy to generate electricity. I also mentioned that gaseous fuels made perfect sense as an interim alternative fuel for our fleets. I had high hopes for algae-based
Cummins B4.5, B6.7, L9 engines now compatible with paraffinic renewable diesel fuels
Cummins Inc. announced that its B4.5, B6.7 and L9 engine platforms are compatible with paraffinic renewable diesel fuels meeting the EN 15940 specification. Both on-highway and off-highway versions of the B6.7 and L9 platforms and all vintages are approved to use paraffinic diesel fuels in North America. According to Cummins, this helps further reduce the carbon
Geotab telematics to report CNG levels
Geotab has announced support for compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel level and temperature on all Momentum Fuel Technologies CNG fueling tanks and systems. According to the companies, fleets with CNG vehicles can now have the powerful visibility into their fuel usage and driver behavior that is already offered to other vehicles using Geotab’s fleet management solution.
PennDOT, Trillium open new Pennsylvania CNG fueling station
Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran) recently opened the commonwealth’s newest compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, designed by Love’s Trillium CNG. The facility is the first of 29 new CNG stations Love’s Trillium CNG will design, build and maintain for numerous transit authorities
How biodiesel could be impacting your fleet
Here’s a fun fact: Every OEM producing diesel vehicles in the U.S. approves of the use of biodiesel blends of up to 5%. Additionally, nearly 80% of those OEMs support B20 blends. That number rises to almost 90% for medium- and heavy-duty truck OEMs. (Though your mileage may vary—always check with your manufacturer to ensure
Alternative fuels in the age of Trump
Recent years have seen a burgeoning interest in alternative fuels, from natural gas to fully electric trucks, in the trucking world. On the surface, it seems that much of the impetus for adoption of electric and zero emissions vehicles comes from government grants. Last year, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offered $26 million
Freightliner Custom Chassis, Clean Energy Fuels, Green Alternative Systems partner on CNG chassis
Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC), Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and Green Alternative Systems (GAS) have partnered to provide an OEM CNG fueling system on FCCC’s CNG MT-45/55 chassis. The chassis is used in the linen and uniform, parcel and home delivery, vending and food service, baking and snack delivery, and school bus industries. Green Alternative Systems
Ford introduces Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier program
Ford is expanding its Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program to include companies that develop and install electrified and hydraulic hybrid powertrains for Ford trucks and vans. The new eQVM program, Ford says, helps fleet and commercial customers meet their unique and specific needs for durable, reliable electrified and hydraulic hybrid work trucks that
Mitsubishi Fuso introduces fully electric Class 4 truck
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. announced that it will bring a limited-production line of fully electric trucks, known as the eCanter, to market in the U.S., Japan and Europe before the end of 2017. It will be the first 100% plug-in electric work truck designed and produced by a major truck manufacturer, the company noted.
First XLP Plug-In Hybrid Upfit to be installed on Ford F-150 pickup trucks
XL Hybrids, Inc. announced its XLP plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) upfit solution will roll out on Ford F-150 pickup trucks beginning fourth quarter 2017. The XLP Fleet-Ready technology is the industry’s first ship-through upfit on pickup trucks from a leading OEM, the company noted. “After securing order commitments from our leading fleet customers, we
Lubricating oils for alternative fuels
A tremendous amount of attention has been focused on alternative fuels. However, little attention has been paid to lubricating oils for use with alternative fuels, and each alternative fuel prefers oils with slightly different compositions. In general, the heavier and more complex a fuel is, the more that is required of its lubricating oil. Diesel,
Using regulatory advantages to build better natural gas vehicles
If you’re looking for ways that alternative fuel vehicles can help enhance your company’s sustainability initiatives when the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Phase 2 standards go into effect, manufacturers may have a new way to help expand your choices. The Phase 2 standards jointly adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway
