Energy Vision’s latest report, “A Path to a Healthier America: Ditching Old Diesel Trucks,” presents compelling findings that highlight the immense potential of renewable natural gas (RNG) trucks in transforming the heavy-duty vehicle industry.

The report meticulously compares the public health benefits, costs, commercial availability, and performance of three cleaner alternatives – renewable diesel (RD), RNG, and electric vehicles (EVs) – to replace the nation’s oldest 20% of heavy-duty diesel trucks. The report’s conclusion confirms what we have known for years – RNG trucks are the top choice in this comparison.

“A pivotal shift to RNG trucks can drive meaningful progress in both industry standards and environmental sustainability. We urge policymakers to support and incentivize the use of RNG trucks, ensuring that these benefits are realized on a broader scale,” said CRTA President Nicole Rice in response to Energy Vision’s definitive conclusions. “This will help achieve near-term emission reductions while also providing significant health and economic benefits to impacted communities, advancing us towards a zero-emission future.”

Here are the highlights from the report:

• RNG trucks offer substantial health benefits. They deliver 88% of the health benefits of EVs, significantly reducing air pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM2.5). These improvements lead to major public health benefits, including the prevention of over 100 deaths, 230 emergency room visits for respiratory issues, and more than 660 new cases of asthma each year. Switching to RNG trucks could save an average of $2 billion annually in healthcare costs.

• The environmental advantages RNG as a transportation fuel are equally impressive. When produced from discarded food waste or manure, RNG is classified as “net carbon negative,” meaning it prevents more greenhouse gases during its production than are released during combustion. This characteristic makes RNG an exceptionally effective tool in combatting climate change. It can significantly reduce the state’s carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The report emphasizes that adopting RNG not only benefits public health and economic savings but also plays a crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges.

• When it comes to vehicle costs, RNG trucks also come out ahead. Although they have a higher upfront cost compared to new diesel models, this initial premium is quickly offset by substantial fuel savings over the trucks’ lifespans. The report estimates that fleet owners could save at least $680 million annually in fuel costs compared to diesel, amounting to at least $10.2 billion in savings over 15 years. Additionally, some RNG fuel options offer even greater savings, further reducing the payback time for fleets that choose this option.

• RNG trucks are not only widely available but also match the performance of diesel trucks. With approximately 90,000 heavy-duty compressed natural gas vehicles capable of running on RNG currently on U.S. roadways, they far outnumber heavy-duty EVs. This extensive availability makes RNG trucks a practical and immediate solution for replacing older diesel trucks, ensuring a smooth transition to cleaner technology.

Energy Vision’s report underscores the proven advantages of RNG trucks in the heavy-duty vehicle sector. The comprehensive analysis highlights their superior performance, cost-effectiveness, and significant environmental benefits. As the report concludes, RNG trucks stand out as the most viable option for immediately replacing diesel, offering substantial improvements in public health and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Read the full report here.