Today's cleanest commercially available heavy-duty technology. Learn More »Today's cleanest commercially available heavy-duty technology. Learn More »

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THE GAME CHANGER WHITEPAPER

In September 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board certified the world’s first heavy-duty engine that emits oxides of nitrogen (NOx) at levels so low they are considered “near-zero” (NZ). This is the cleanest commercially available heavy-duty truck engine available in the market today. Combined with growing availability of renewable natural gas—a drop-in, ultra-low “carbon intensity” fuel for NGVs—this engine technology will provide unmatched clean on-road transportation for at least a decade, and potentially longer.

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA) prepared a comprehensive white paper on behalf of a number of public and private sector sponsors, including Agility Fuel Systems, the American Gas Association, the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership, Clean Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Southern California Gas Company. Detailing the recent emergence of this “game changing” heavy-duty natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology, the white paper was finalized and released May 2016. This major report describes how the union of ultra-low NOx heavy-duty NGVs and ultra-low carbon renewable natural gas (RNG) blends can uniquely, immediately, and economically help transform America’s heavy-duty transportation system, reduce petroleum dependency, improve ambient air quality, and address climate change.

This engine technology and fuel combination provides commercially available “near-zero-emission” technology immediately for transit bus, refuse, school bus, and medium-duty truck applications. Additional near-zero-emission heavy-duty natural gas engines are expected to follow by 2018, addressing a wider array of important heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sectors that includes medium-heavy-duty and heavy-heavy-duty on-road applications. With heavy-duty diesel engines being the number one source of smog-forming emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in almost every single metropolitan region in the U.S., having technology to reduce emissions 90 percent below even the most stringent US EPA standards is vitally important to cleaning the air we breathe.

Throughout the U.S., fleets currently dominated by diesel-fueled HDVs can begin switching over to NGVs. Where RNG is available and cost-effective, additional benefits can be realized. This will provide HDV fleets with an immediate means to greatly reduce NOx and GHG emissions, while also achieving an attractive payback on their investments.


Game Changer Technical White Paper

Next Generation Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engines Fueled by Renewable Natural Gas

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This White Paper explores the need—and leading approaches—to immediately start deploying zero-emission and near-zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) technologies on a wide-scale basis in the United States. Expeditious action is needed to reduce smog-forming emissions from HDVs to restore healthful air quality—as is legally required under the federal Clean Air Act—for approximately 166 million Americans who reside in areas with exceedingly poor air quality. At the same time, to combat global climate change, the United States must aggressively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from HDVs, which are the fastest growing segment of US transportation for energy use and emissions.

More than 125 million Americans live with unhealthy air. Learn how natural gas trucks can provide an immediate and cost-effective solution.

Fleets Driving Sustainability with Natural Gas

“Our transition to CNG reflects the way FCA US attempts to balance our search for profitability with social responsibility and community development, including environmental stewardship.”

Steve Beahm, FCA North America

“Our decision to use 100% renewable natural gas is based upon our ongoing commitment to ensuring we are delivering solutions that help our customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Scott Perry, Ryder System

“UPS operates one of the most diversified fleets in private industry today, and renewable natural gas is a critical part of our strategy to expand our fuel sources and minimize the environmental impact associated with growing customer demand.”

Mark Wallace, UPS

“It is no longer just about the dollar amount [consumers] pay for a product. It’s about the philosophy you believe in as a company and your plan to reduce your environmental impact. Otherwise, they will not buy your product.”

Fabio Baldassari, Unilever

“First and foremost, natural gas presents a lower carbon footprint compared to diesel, so this helps drive toward our overall [sustainability] goal.”

Damon Jones, Procter & Gamble

Fleet Case Studies

Fleet operators from coast-to-coast have deployed natural gas vehicles to lower operating costs, secure long-term fuel price stability, and mitigate their impact on the environment.

Game Changer Whitepaper Sponsors