Many fleet managers and owner/operators are weighing their options when it comes to purchasing natural gas trucks vs diesel trucks. The million-dollar question is “When it comes to diesel or natural gas trucks, which is best for my bottom line?” If fleet managers and owner/operators want to make an informed decision about their business, it is crucial to understand the differences between diesel and natural gas trucks.
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There are two types of natural gas fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. CNG is the cheaper of the two fuels and is much more readily available today. However, CNG requires more space and increased weight than LNG does. While LNG is much cheaper than diesel, it is not as inexpensive as CNG. However, you can fit a lot more LNG fuel in a smaller space than CNG, which means less weight.
The engines that Freightliner uses today – the Cummins Westport ISL G and ISX12 G – are great for regional haul tractor applications, as well as some vocational operations such as refuse, snow plow, street sweeper, dump, and more. These engines run both quieter and cleaner than their diesel counterparts. They emit up to 20% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and are up to 10 db quieter than comparative diesel engines.
Companies that run natural gas trucks can save big when it comes to fuel costs due cost of natural gas fuel vs. the cost of diesel. That is the number one value proposition of purchasing natural gas trucks. Unlike diesel, the cost of natural gas fuel has stayed low – about $1.50 -$2.00 per diesel gallon equivalent cheaper than diesel – and relatively stable. This is especially beneficial for fleets that run a lot of miles (80,000-120,000 miles per year is the sweet spot).
While there is increasing interest natural gas truck options, there have also been innovations to improve the efficiency of diesel trucks. For example, Freightliner’s Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and BlueTec® Emissions Technology are systems that were put in place to ensure that heavy-duty trucks not only meet, but exceed EPA standards. At the same time, these systems allow diesel trucks to maintain an excellent fuel economy. For example, SCR technology is known for:
When it comes to natural gas trucks vs diesel trucks, both have their advantages and disadvantages from a cost standpoint. To decide what is best for your business, work with a dealership that can walk you through a cost/benefit analysis. Freightliner Trucks prides itself on providing the best of both options. For more information on our natural gas truck solutions, or to learn how Freightliner can help you improve the efficiency of your diesel truck, contact us.
We will likely never see battery-electric trucks enter the long-haul freight mainstream, but other alternatives to diesel fuel exist today.
One is natural gas, which comes with fewer packaging and range constraints than electric propulsion--and a ready and growing domestic supply of the fuel.
So why aren't natural gas-powered trucks selling better?
It's all about another kind of green: money
Natural-gas trucks just don't make financial sense for many fleet operators, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).
First, a natural-gas vehicle carries an average $50,000 premium over a typical heavy-duty diesel truck, which usually costs about $150,000.
In theory, that extra money spent on purchasing the truck could be offset by fuel savings of $1.60 and $1.70 per gallon for the amount of natural gas with an energy content equivalent of 1 gallon of diesel.
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Natural Gas-powered Kenworth truck (Image: Flickr user TruckPR)
But that is roughly the average lifespan of a truck in a big fleet--meaning it will likely be replaced before the operator sees any real financial benefit.
Compressed natural gas also contains 20 percent less energy by volume than an equal amount of diesel, so drivers have to fill up more often if the tanks take up the same space.
That's sometimes easier said than done, as there are only about 1,500 natural-gas fueling stations in the U.S. Of that total, just slightly more than half are open to the public--and many cannot accommodate a large truck.
Customers also expect any fuel savings to be passed on to them in the form of lower rates, so that money often can't be applied to equipment costs.
ALSO SEE: Natural Gas For Long-Haul Trucks: Which Version Makes More Sense?
At the same time, diesel engines are getting more efficient.
Federal regulations require a 6-percent improvement in fuel economy for big trucks by 2017. The first phase of the new rules takes effect this year, and will see average fuel economy for new trucks increase to 7 mpg from 6.5 mpg.
President Barack Obama has asked the EPA to follow up with a new set of standards that will further increase efficiency between 2018 and 2025.
Despite the drawbacks, natural-gas truck sales are expected to increase by 20 percent this year, to 10,480 units.
However, that's less than 4 percent of the 281,620 diesel trucks that analysts project will be sold in North America this year.
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