Diesel technology has been transformed in recent years. Lower sulfur fuels; cleaner, more efficient engines; and more effective emission control technologies have made diesel a clean and efficient way to power on and off-road vehicles and equipment. As a result, clean diesel technology can help contribute to the sustainability of businesses, communities and individuals by reducing the environmental and societal “cost” of their activities.

Definition

The first and most common definition of sustainability comes from the 1987 United Nations' Brundtland Commission Report, "Our Common Future" which defined it as the ability to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "sustainable development marries two important themes: that environmental protection does not preclude economic development and that economic development must be ecologically viable now and in the long run."

Sustainability is a constant goal, however the path can change over time as our economy, environment, and society develop and the costs and benefits of certain technologies and policies become clearer. One day's solution might bring unforeseen future consequences, making it necessary to evaluate the cumulative effect of all decisions and accept that the highest degree of sustainability may, at times, appear only incremental.

The Role of Clean Diesel Technology

We believe clean diesel technology is better able than ever before to help users improve efficiency and minimize environmental impacts through cleaner and more efficient methods of transporting freight and people, mining resources, constructing buildings, growing crops and providing power. By incorporating clean diesel technology in their operations, supply chains or personal lives; businesses, governments and individuals can maintain or improve performance with reduced impact on the world around them.

For diesel power users, clean diesel technology can minimize environmental costs and enhance operational sustainability through fuel use, vehicle/equipment efficiency and the number of vehicle miles traveled. It can also contribute to sustainability by enhancing economic and social security as a reliable source of clean backup power.

Cleaner Diesel Fuels Can Help Reduce Emissions and Petroleum Consumption

• Lower sulfur fuels have reduced criteria pollutants through the use of lower emitting engines and more effective emissions control technologies.
• Using B20 reduces emissions of PM by 10 percent, CO2 by 15 percent and unburned hydrocarbons by 21percent.
• Using B20 can reduce CO2 emissions by 15 percent. Next generation, drop-in renewable diesel fuels can bring up to 80 percent reductions in GHG emissions.

Vehicle/Equipment Performance

• New on-road vehicle emissions levels of criteria pollutants have been virtually eliminated. Similar achievements are currently being introduced in new off-road vehicles/equipment.
• Many diesel retrofit options provide fuel economy benefits and can extend the life of an existing capital investment while also providing significant emission reductions, making vehicle and equipment upgrades an economically wise choice for owners.
• Diesels are the most efficient combustion engines. Model year 2010 and later trucks are experiencing an average five percent improvement in fuel economy. Additional fuel-saving strategies are being developed to improve engine efficiency, vehicle aerodynamics and expanded application of hybrid technology.
• Light-duty diesel vehicles are 20-40 percent more fuel-efficient than gasoline cars and emit approximately 20 percent less CO2.

Number of Vehicles/Equipment in Use

• Greater use of efficient diesel-powered public transportation can reduce overall vehicle miles traveled.
• Over 86 percent of passenger trips on public transportation were on buses (53 percent) and heavy rail (33.7 percent), which are predominantly powered by diesel fuel (70 percent and 90 percent respectively).
• Enhanced Security Through Clean Diesel Durability and Reliability
• Clean diesel technology provides secure, reliable backup power for basic health, welfare and financial services in times of crisis.
• Integrating technologies which offer a short three-year payback in the U.S. heavy-duty long haul fleet over the next 10 years could save three billion gallons of fuel.

How Clean Diesel Contributes to Sustainability

• Mining, farming, construction and other heavy duty off-road equipment together with goods movement using clean diesel technology can improve the sustainability of all industries through cleaner supply chain operations.
• Clean diesel can improve individual sustainability through cleaner, more cost-effective personal vehicles, fuels and the availability of exceptionally clean public transportation in the form of diesel hybrid or retrofitted buses.
• Using renewable diesel fuels to meet the goals established under the RFS2 will lead to replacement of seven percent of petroleum fuels by 2022 and decrease oil imports by $41.5 billion.

Read more about Sustainably Powering Our Economy with Clean Diesel Technology.