There is so much happening in the trucking industry that it can be challenging to keep up with all the latest developments. This is especially true when we consider all the powertrain solutions available to fleets. However, it is essential to stay educated and informed and take action to procure these technologies when appropriate.
As we recently announced, NACFE is conducting its fifth Run on Less event this fall. Run on Less – Messy Middle will focus on heavy-duty Class 8 trucks—sleepers and day cabs—in long-haul return-to-base and over-the-road duty cycles.
The Run will provide real-world data on a variety of powertrain solutions, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cells, renewable natural gas, and renewable and biodiesel.
In conjunction with the Run, we are holding an educational Bootcamp series of webinars on these powertrain alternatives. We’ve split them into three groups: diesel/natural gas, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell. There will be three separate sessions for fuel types; at the end of each set of three webinars, there will be a two-hour interactive workshop.
See also: Roeth: Continue the journey to clean transportation
The first diesel webinar was held earlier this week and focused on the difference between biodiesel, renewable diesel, and fossil diesel. Tips were provided on how pairing fuel efficiency technologies and practices with diesel fuel can impact a fleet’s tailpipe emissions. We also had experts talk about what current and future regulations, including EPA 27 and the Low NOx Rule, could mean for technology development. We will be posting a recording of this session to our website soon.
The second session in this series will be held February 25 at 1 p.m. ET and will focus on decarbonizing with natural gas. We will focus on the differences among natural gas blends and formulations and share how fleets have successfully deployed natural gas in their operations. You’ll learn about what the buzz about renewable natural gas is all about.
The third and final session in the diesel/natural gas will explore how infrastructure considerations affect both diesel and natural gas options. Our speakers will talk about the various distribution methods for natural gas as well as diesel and their drop-on alternatives. There will be a big focus on the economic side of fueling and fueling infrastructure. We will also talk about the very important well-to-wheel emissions in calculating a fuel’s environmental impact. Attendees from the webinars will be able to participate in an interactive two-hour workshop following the group meeting.
We will follow this same unbiased, in-depth look at both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in subsequent Bootcamp sessions.
Here is a look at the other sessions in the Bootcamp:
- The Current State of HD BEVs: Technologies and Capabilities
- Strategizing Successful HD BEV Adoption
- Charging Depots, Networks & the Economics of Fleet Electrification
- The Production Processes of Hydrogen Fuel
- Moving Hydrogen from Here to There: The Distribution and Storage of Hydrogen Fuel
- The Opportunities and Challenges of Selling Hydrogen to the Industry
If you want to register for any of the Bootcamps or to learn more, go to runonless.com and click on the Bootcamp tab.
Education is the key to adopting the right technologies for your fleet. Though I am biased, I believe that these Bootcamp education sessions will be worth your time, so I hope you can join us.
