Rising Diesel Prices Boost Case for Renewable Natural Gas Trucks

The national average price of diesel has surged to $6.285 per gallon, up about 65% from February's $3.81. This spike in fuel prices has made renewable natural gas (RNG) trucks a more attractive option for some fleets, according to an updated report by Energy Vision.

The nonprofit organization estimates that RNG-fueled Class 8 tractors can recover their higher purchase price in 1.3 to 2.8 years under current fuel-price scenarios. This is based on the assumption that RNG costs $2 less per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) than diesel nationally, and $3.50 less in California.

The report compares three alternatives to diesel: new trucks using renewable diesel, CNG trucks fueled with RNG, and battery-electric trucks. Renewable diesel has the lowest upfront cost but delivers fewer public-health benefits, while battery-electric trucks produce no tailpipe emissions but are limited by higher vehicle prices, charging-infrastructure costs, and utility interconnection delays.

Energy Vision estimates that replacing 130,000 pre-2013 heavy-duty diesel trucks with RNG-powered models could prevent 1,560 to 2,205 premature deaths over 15 years. The organization also estimates cumulative avoided healthcare costs of approximately $30.3 billion over the trucks' projected operating lives.