North America’s top fleets have spoken and their No. 1 choice for greening their fleet operations is biodiesel. America’s advanced biofuel also took top honors in projected growth, with more fleets planning to acquire or continue using biodiesel than any other alternative fuel option. 

“The findings of this survey validate what we hear anecdotally all the time,” said Don Scott, director of sustainability for the National Biodiesel Board. “While other technologies may get more attention, biodiesel is consistently the best way to store solar energy for transportation use. Nothing beats the power and performance of a new technology diesel engine to get the job done in heavy-haul or high-mileage operations. And when fleets learn that they can immediately reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by using biodiesel blends in their existing diesel equipment, it is truly a win-win.”

The 2018 Fleet Purchasing Outlook study conducted by NTEA—The Association for the Work Truck Industry—shows 18 percent of fleet participants use biodiesel now, up from 15 percent in 2017. Seventy-five percent of fleet respondents planning to acquire trucks in 2018 also said they plan to maintain or increase the use of diesel technology, showing that the powertrain is here to stay for work truck fleets.

“Nearly 40 percent of respondents indicated they currently operate alternative-fueled trucks in their fleets, up 4 percent from 2017, and interest is at the highest recorded level since 2014,” said Steve Latin-Kasper, NTEA director of market data and research. “While interest in alternative fuels may wax and wane a bit due to the inherent volatility of oil prices, it will likely rise steadily across time. Most fleets are well aware of the need to keep exploring clean energy solutions.”

This consumer confidence is a testament to the industry’s more than two decades of diligence to fuel quality work, OEM development and targeted outreach.