Get in on trucking fuel revolution early, experts urge

Fleets should educate themselves about the array of fuel alternatives as the industry transitions away from diesel, an expert panel said on Tuesday.
A “State of Sustainable Fleets” report provides insights into clean truck sales trends, vehicle development timelines, infrastructure and fuel costs.
A century ago, four out of 10 vehicles were powered by steam, four out of 10 were electric and only two were gas, said Georgia Delpiano, vice president of fleet solutions for Shell Oil Co. “So whoever bet on steam did not make a good choice.”
While the variety of clean fuel options on the market can seem overwhelming or cost-prohibitive, trucking fleets should educate themselves now about the array of alternatives as the industry continues its inevitable transition away from diesel, an expert panel said on Tuesday.

“The best way to get through the transition is to be part of it,” said Georgia Delpiano, vice president of fleet solutions for Shell Oil Co.

Delpiano was one of several industry experts who participated in a panel discussion tied to the launch of a report providing an overview of the most common sustainable fuel platforms for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Sponsored by Shell, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and Penske Transportation Solutions, the “State of Sustainable Fleets” report, released on Tuesday, includes insights into sales trends, vehicle development timelines, infrastructure and fuel costs, and the growing adoption of renewable fuels.

The analysis was written by green vehicle consultancy Gladstein, Neandross, and Associates (GNA) and covers four categories of fuel options: natural gas, propane, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells. It also summarizes sustainability trends in “baseline technologies” — gas and diesel — and compares the new green technologies to those baseline fuels.