The stars have been lined up for some time. the kick that was needed is higher diesel cost. Many articles are now surfacing indicating the new improved engines from Cmi/Westport are having a negative calculation on the EPA chart. In other words, they are better than electrification!!!
Here's an article on a truck that already have over a million miles logged with NatGas. You'll notice the mention of "NO MAJOR Repair issues and expected totalt miles.
Ruan CNG Tractor: 1 Million Miles and Going Strong
October 9, 2017 | USA, Des Moines IA
Ruan 1M Mile TruckA 2014 Kenworth T660 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered class 8 tractor operated by Ruan Transportation Management Systems has reached the milestone of 1 million miles in service without one major maintenance issue. It is part of a fleet of 40 tractors domiciled at Ruan’s operation in Fair Oaks, Indiana.
These vehicles pull 80,000 GVW loads of milk primarily from Fair Oaks to Southern Indiana.
“Ruan’s fleet travels approximately 29,000 miles per day, which is farther than the circumference of the Earth. It is no small accomplishment to keep a unit in service for 1 million miles. Our safe drivers and skilled technicians deserve the credit for this milestone. Extending the life of our fleet reduces our overhead costs, and those savings are passed on to our customers,” said James Cade, vice president of fleet services.
The fuel for this operation is primarily renewable natural gas (RNG) sourced from anaerobically digested cattle manure. This allows a waste product to be used to transport customers’ for-profit product. Including a predecessor 9-liter fleet, vehicles in this operation have run approximately 50 million miles in total, representing nearly 7.5 million gallons of diesel not consumed. This represents nearly 80,000 tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking nearly 12,000 average cars off the road for a year in terms of CO2 emissions.
“Ruan has been committed to employing strategic fuel conservation measures to control costs and protect the environment,” said Steve Larsen, director of procurement and fuel. “Using CNG and RNG greatly reduces the amount of diesel fuel used in our operations. Our team is committed to using these alternatives whenever possible.”
The fleet is currently being refurbished and is projected to travel upwards of 1.5 million miles per vehicle before retirement. The refurbishment consists of the following broad categories: in-frame engine overhaul, transmission, body polish and in-cab items such as A/C, radio and drivers’ seats. Recycling the truck for an even longer life cycle saves emissions associated with production of a new truck- preventing raw materials harvesting and consumption plus electricity and other resources used in the manufacturing process.
Ruan is an official partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
