When working to improve emissions in the supply chain, a holistic, all-encompassing view is needed. We have written about the negative environmental impacts of mineral mining, solar arrays and windmills. This month, we are going to cover the benefits of renewable diesel, especially as it compares to traditional diesel and battery electric.
The above table is an excerpt from a recent American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) study. The study proves an internal combustion engine (ICE) using renewal diesel has fewer carbon emission than traditional diesel, 67.3% fewer, whereas a battery electric truck doesn’t fair as well with only a 30% – 39.5% reduction in carbon emissions.
With the transportation industry responsible for 29% of the nation’s greenhouse gases and the utilities close behind at 24.8%, it just makes sense to look at renewable diesel for its emission savings both from the truck’s tailpipe and the added demand on the utilities from battery electric trucks.
We are very supportive of clean air and believe the industry can make a difference. We also believe we cannot be singularly focused on one technology but rather need to be open to all ideas. Renewable diesel is just one of those ideas, and it can be adopted easily and cost effectively.