Medium-Duty Trucks Embrace Low-Emission Diesel Technology

U.S. trucking companies are buying more new, low-emission, diesel technology than ever before.

Research shows the number of new near-zero emission diesel trucks on the road increased 10.2% between 2021 and 2022 according to the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF).

Near-zero emission trucks are advanced diesel technology manufactured in the 2010 and later model years.

The Growing Near-Zero Emissions Vehicles Population

According to DTF’s analysis of S&P Global Mobility TIPNet Vehicles in Operation Data as of December 2022:  

• Diesel dominates the trucking sector: For the largest commercial trucks (Class 8) in operation that are 2010 or later model years, 95.4% are advanced diesel technology; 2.1% are CNG, 0.3% are electric, and the remainder are gasoline or other fuels.
  
  For the entire (Class 3-8) commercial truck population of over 15 million vehicles, 75.6% are powered by diesel, gasoline (22.9%), compressed natural gas (0.46%), other (ethanol, fuel cell, LNG, propane, 0.85%) and electric (0.09%).
  
  Illinois has the fastest-growing registration of new advanced diesel technology Class 8 commercial trucks, up 4.6% as of December 2022 compared to 2021.
• The population of near-zero emissions diesel technology trucks is growing. They comprise 57% of all commercial diesel trucks (Class 3-8) on the roads today. These trucks are equipped with particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction systems that achieve near-zero levels of emissions. That’s a 10.2% increase in one year (2022 vs. 2021).
• 65.7% of all commercial diesel trucks (Class 3-8) on the road are 2007 and newer and are equipped with particulate filters so they achieve near-zero emissions for particulates.
• Indiana ranks first of the states for the highest percentage of registrations of 2010 and later model year near-zero emission diesel trucks (73.2%). Next in the rankings is Utah (66.2%), Pennsylvania (66.0%), the District of Columbia (65.4%), Texas (63.6%), Oklahoma (62.6%), Florida (62.3%), Illinois (60.6%), Louisiana (59.2%), and Wisconsin (59.1%). California lags the national average, taking the 35th spot (51.6%).
• There are 125 times more new generation advanced diesel trucks on the road in California than electric trucks.

The Future of Diesel

Diesel technology has transformed over the last decade, with advancements leading to near-zero emissions beginning with the 2010 model year.

The next milestone for advanced diesel technology is emerging in California in 2024 and other parts of the country in 2027. It will further reduce NOx emissions by an additional 50-80% over current models.

When it comes to diesel technology, it offers:

• Efficient performance.
• Low-cost operation.
• High market value for used products.
• Routing and ready access to servicing, parts and fueling throughout the nation.