Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series: Lowering Carbon Emissions with Alternative Fuels-Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series: Lowering Carbon Emissions with Alternative Fuels

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The Sustainable Fleet Technology webinar, coordinated by NAFA and the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, focused on alternative fuels and sustainable options to reduce carbon emissions in fleet operations. Key speakers highlighted various fuel types and technologies:<br /><br />Jennifer Weaver of Clean Fuels Alliance America discussed biodiesel and renewable diesel, emphasizing their significant greenhouse gas reductions (over 70%) and compatibility with existing diesel engines. She noted their domestic feedstocks, quality standards, and cold-weather performance solutions, underscoring broad OEM support and real-world success, like Estes Express's 84% CO2 reduction using B100 biodiesel with specialized heating systems.<br /><br />Joel Studhite of the Propane Education & Research Council outlined propane autogas's affordability, reliability, and sustainability. He emphasized lower maintenance costs, simpler fueling infrastructure, and propane’s stable, lower fuel prices produced domestically. Propane exhibits near-zero particulate emissions and performs well in cold climates. Steve McCoy added renewable propane offers extremely low carbon intensity and is infrastructure-compatible with conventional propane.<br /><br />Paul Sanstead from the Transport Project focused on compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG) as cost-effective, commercially available, low-carbon solutions for heavy-duty fleets. Newer engines (e.g., Cummins 15-liter natural gas engine) provide diesel-equivalent power and compliance with emissions standards. RNG is derived from organic waste streams, offering negative carbon intensity ratings. He also touched on hydrogen fuel options but noted current challenges.<br /><br />Cedric Roberts, fleet director for Birmingham, AL, shared practical insights on fleet sustainability initiatives, advocating for vehicle audits, right-sizing, pilot programs, diversified fuel strategies, eco-driving training, and tracking total cost of ownership and emissions reductions. He highlighted challenges like EV range limits on long routes and stressed gradual, data-driven adoption.<br /><br />The webinar closed with discussions on available funding, incentives, infrastructure leasing options, and resources for fleets to adopt alternative fuels and technologies. Attendees were encouraged to leverage ongoing educational programs and upcoming events focused on sustainable fleet solutions.

Keywords

sustainable fleet technology

alternative fuels

biodiesel

renewable diesel

propane autogas

renewable propane

compressed natural gas

renewable natural gas

hydrogen fuel

carbon emissions reduction

fleet sustainability initiatives

eco-driving training

incentives for alternative fuels