Clean Diesel Tech Has Saved 3B Gallons of Fuel: Report

Nov. 2, 2020

The introduction of more advanced diesel truck engines, innovative emissions control systems, and cleaner diesel fuel over the past decade has improved air quality and fuel efficiency, according to new research compiled for the Diesel Technology Forum.

“It is clear from these findings that the new generation of clean diesel technology is delivering large and expanding benefits to society in the form of fewer emissions and lower fuel consumption," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. The Martec Group, a global technical marketing research firm, conducted the survey.

According to the report, the 4 million heavy-duty diesels introduced from 2007 through 2015 have saved U.S. consumers:

  • 29 million tonnes of CO2
  • 7.5 million tonnes of NOx
  • 218,000 tonnes of particulate matter (PM)
  • 2.9 billion gallons of diesel
  • 69 million barrels of crude oil

Schaeffer notes the reductions from the 2007 and newer trucks on the road today are equivalent to:

  • Removing the CO2 emissions from 6.1 million light-duty cars from the road for 1 year
  • Removing the NOx emissions from all light-duty cars for 2 years
  • Removing the particulate matter from all light-duty cars for 6 years 

Trucks

Schaeffer said 42 percent of all medium and heavy-duty diesel commercial trucks (Classes 3-8) in operation in the United States – four million of 9.5 million diesel trucks – were now equipped with newer technology clean diesel engines; up from 38 percent last year.

Class 8 trucks running the newest generation (2010 and newer) engines saved truckers $2,400 a year in fuel costs by using 875 fewer gallons of fuel (based on 125,000 miles traveled).

"These new clean diesel trucks are a key element in the clean air plans for states to meet the current and future national ambient air quality standards," noted Schaeffer. 

The Martec Group also calculated the emissions benefits achieved in selected states. Look at the results from 2011-2015 in these key states where new technology diesel engines is in use:

  • California has removed 700,000 tonnes of NOx from the atmosphere and saved 2.5 million tonnes of CO2
  • New York has removed 250,000 tonnes of NOx from the atmosphere and saved 900,000 tonnes of CO2.
  • New Jersey has removed 160,000 tonnes of NOx from the atmosphere and saved 500,000 tonnes of CO2.
  • Pennsylvania has removed 300,000 tonnes of NOx from the atmosphere and saved 1.3 million tonnes of CO2.

 “As the world’s attention is now focused on meeting future international climate commitments, it is important to recognize the fuels and technologies that are delivering proven benefits here and now in communities all across America, because technologies like clean diesel will also be vital to achieving those future goals as well,” Schaeffer said.

Source: The Diesel Technology Forum