The Quest For Fuel Savings
In 2011, commercial trucks burned 37.2 billion gallons of diesel and 14.8 billion gallons of gasoline, according to the American Trucking Associations.
In 2011, commercial trucks burned 37.2 billion gallons of diesel and 14.8 billion gallons of gasoline, according to the American Trucking Associations.
Diesel fuel is often the second highest expense for motor carriers after labor and can be as much as 20% of total operating costs.
Are you doing everything you can to cut your portion of that fuel bill?
Soon, the first phase of new federal greenhouse gas standards requiring improvements in fuel economy in new trucks will go into effect. Truck and engine makers are looking to technologies such as variable-speed vans, electric-drive turbos, high-performance DPFs, air injection boosting, clutched air compressors, waste heat collection and more to meet upcoming standards.
But smart fleets aren’t waiting for the newest generation of fuel-efficient trucks to roll off the line. They’re already using many strategies to save fuel.
On top of buying more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient trucks, they are investing in trailer aero add-ons and idle-reduction technologies, switching to fuel-efficient tires, “downspeeding” engine revs, limiting top speeds on trucks, using sophisticated analytics to track fuel use and incentivizing drivers and more.
In our annual fuel issue, we’ll take a closer look at some of the strategies you can use to save on your fuel bill. Because if you don’t, you can bet that your competitors will.
The Special Fuel Issue articles:
More Fuel Smarts
Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel
Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.
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Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units
Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.
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Maintenance in the ‘Messy Middle’ Part 2: Renewable Diesel Fuel
NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.
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The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’
NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.
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DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect
The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.
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New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel
Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.
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New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
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Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible
Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.
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Kempower Adds Flex EV Charger to Help Support Transition to Megawatt Charging
The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex has both a CCS and MCS connector, allowing operators to serve both types of heavy-duty vehicles.
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Hino Adds Electric Class 6/7 Truck
Hino says the Le Series is an important step in the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact and support its customers’ sustainability goals.
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