The U.S. Department of Energy on May 7 issued a request for information (RFI) seeking stakeholder input on ways to decarbonize the off-road transportation sector, including through the use of biodiesel, renewable diesel, renewable natural gas (RNG) and other renewables. 

The RFI, titled Progression of Net-Zero Emission Propulsion Technologies for the Off-Road Sector Request for Information, was jointly released by the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, Vehicle Technologies Office, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies office. The RFI aims to understand the off-road sector alternative propulsion technology preferences, technologies that seem most promising and the key barriers to achieving the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Recognizing that the off-road transportation sector generates 10% of U.S. transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the RFI aims to collect knowledge from stakeholders to guide actions regarding future propulsion technologies, research and infrastructure investments, and coordination to ensure the off-road sector is meeting or exceeding U.S. decarbonization milestones, according to the DOE. 

The RFI addresses a variety of off-road vehicles, including construction and mining equipment, industrial equipment, agriculture equipment, lawn and garden equipment, and recreational vehicles. It aims to gather information on the current state of the off-road vehicle fleet; which powertrain technologies are the most promising for decarbonization of off-roads vehicles; and the timeline for the off-road sector to transition to net-zero emission GHG technologies. 

According to the DOE, the propulsion technologies under consideration for the RFI include biodiesel, renewable diesel, RNG, battery electric, direct electrification (catenary), electric hybridization, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells. 

Responses to the RFI can be submitted through June 7. Additional information is available on the DOE website.