Meet HDT’s 2023 High Inexperienced Fleets – Gas Smarts

This 12 months’s HDT High Inexperienced Fleet honorees, in addition to nominations and entries, replicate a surge in zero-emission expertise exploration and adoption.

Whereas California is a hotspot for this exercise due to its regulatory atmosphere, even outdoors of California, a lot of our High Inexperienced Fleets this 12 months are shopping for one or two battery-electric and even hydrogen gasoline cell autos to see how they may work of their operations.

Fairly just a few are utilizing electrical yard vehicles and electrical forklifts, with these being a superb place to start out adopting zero-emission expertise as a result of the charging logistics are less complicated.

One other development we’re seeing among the many High Inexperienced Fleets is adoption of different fuels, particularly renewable diesel and renewable pure fuel.

However for a lot of fleets, the principle focus is wringing each mile potential out of a gallon of gasoline, utilizing the newest fuel-efficient truck fashions, aerodynamic add-ons, low-rolling-resistance tires, computerized tire inflation, driver teaching, and extra.

And it’s not nearly gasoline mileage, zero-emissions autos, or different fuels. It’s additionally about freight effectivity, whether or not that’s utilizing expertise to optimize routes and maximize capability utilization or transferring some freight to intermodal.

As Yellow defined, “An underutilized new tractor with the newest and biggest emissions discount software program is barely as environment friendly because the maximized payload it hauls.”

How the High Inexperienced Fleets are Chosen

Annually, we put out a name for nominations and fleet submissions to be thought of for HDT’s High Inexperienced Fleets. Our editors comb by means of these submissions and consider a lot of elements in making their resolution, together with:

• Adoption of different fuels and drivetrains
• Business-leading gasoline financial system
• Freight-efficiency methods
• Modern “inexperienced” services
• Sustainability targets
• Latest progress in sustainability journey
• Willingness to share their expertise with others
• Different “inexperienced” awards acquired
• Plans for the approaching 12 months

Under, we’ve highlighted 25 fleets of varied sizes and varieties of operations which might be displaying management in sustainability. This 12 months’s High Inexperienced Fleets are listed in alphabetical order.

4 Gen Logistics — Rialto, California

This drayage operator, the California subsidiary of Duncan & Sons Traces, will full building of 90 charging stations and take supply of 61 new battery-electric vehicles by this summer season. The corporate has dedicated to changing into an all zero-emission fleet in 2025 and by no means shopping for one other diesel truck once more. Its remaining diesels use biodiesel and renewable pure fuel and are not more than 5 years outdated.

What’s subsequent: Working with clients that align with the inexperienced targets of 4 Gen and ship their containers with zero-emission vehicles.

A. Duie Pyle — West Chester, Pennsylvania

This regional less-than-truckload/intermodal/warehousing operation operates greater than 1,500 heavy-duty and greater than 100 medium-duty vehicles. Sustainability has turn into one in all Pyle’s largest priorities. The corporate invests in fuel-efficient applied sciences, similar to aerodynamics, superior cruise management, and self-inflating tires, and focuses on decreasing idling time. Newer, smaller vehicles are extra fuel-efficient than older fashions. Its ECO (Environmentally Aware Operation) Program has led to key sustainability initiatives, together with its 100% photo voltaic energy-powered warehouse in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania; paperless dock administration; and changing to electrical forklifts.

What’s subsequent: Buy two totally electrical vehicles and charging stations by the tip of 2024 or early 2025 to organize its workforce to function and preserve electrical vehicles.

Artur Categorical — Hazelwood, Missouri

Artur Categorical, a for-hire fleet of 750 vehicles, operates native/city P&D, regional, and long-haul. This 12 months it purchased two Freightliner eCascadias and one Volvo VNR Electrical for its native, devoted fleet, and put in two chargers. However its large sustainability focus is on incentivizing and training drivers on fuel-efficient driving habits similar to utilizing cruise management; reducing down on idle time; slowing down their velocity; and so on. Utilizing information on these habits, Artur breaks out drivers into Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum scores tied to bonuses. Its Platinum drivers common 8 mpg; Bronze drivers common 7.3 mpg. This system helped enhance the fleet’s common effectivity from 6.9 mpg to 7.5 mpg.

What’s subsequent: Improve investments in electrical autos for native, devoted accounts.

Boyle Transportation — Billerica, Massachusetts

Boyle Transportation, which focuses on hazardous supplies, has carried out inexperienced initiatives in all areas, from IT to upkeep. A 19.5% discount in gasoline consumption over 2015 numbers (when the fleet was half its present dimension of 100) was achieved by sustaining a contemporary fleet of apparatus, buying and selling at two years or 500,000 miles. Proprietary routing software program additionally improved effectivity. Its company headquarters is powered by photo voltaic panels — as are its battery-electric forklifts. Since 2015, its CO2 emissions are down 13.5%.

What’s subsequent: Work towards three-year aim to scale back vitality consumption by an extra 15% over 2019 numbers and set up photo voltaic panels (or comparable idle discount expertise) in 100% of its tools. Have 100% of tractors GHG II compliant (at the moment at 90%) by the tip of subsequent 12 months. 

Metropolis of Lengthy Seashore, Fleet Providers Bureau — Lengthy Seashore, California

This authorities fleet of two,200 has 224 heavy-duty vehicles and 205 medium-duty. The fleet makes use of a wide range of different fuels, together with renewable pure fuel, renewable diesel, renewable propane, full electrical, and hybrid electrical autos. Lengthy Seashore had the primary municipal refuse truck within the nation with the Cummins ISL G Close to Zero pure fuel engine. It transitioned its complete getting old fleet of road sweepers to pure fuel. The funding in different fuels has resulted in a 5.6% enhance in total gasoline financial system from 2021 to 2022. Consultants are ending a blueprint for medium/heavy-duty electrical car infrastructure implementation.

What’s subsequent: Setting a aim of decreasing emissions by 1% per 12 months whereas growing different gasoline car depend by 2% per 12 months.

Metropolis of Madison Streets — Madison, Wisconsin

Madison Streets goals to be the greenest truck fleet in North America. Since its inexperienced initiatives started in 2018, Madison Streets has saved greater than 13 million kilos in CO2 emissions. Its fleet of greater than 350 autos contains 282 heavy-duty and 24 medium-duty vehicles. It runs B5 biodiesel in winter, B20 in hotter months, and 17 vehicles run on B100 (100% biodiesel) year-round utilizing Optimus retrofit expertise. Two Class 8 Mack electrical rubbish vehicles have been added this spring. By way of GPS/telematics, in a latest four-month interval, it lower dashing by 43%, idling by 22%, and total diesel utilization by 29%. In 2021, it had the primary municipal auto storage in North America to attain LEED GOLD certification.

What’s subsequent: By 2030, be the primary main truck fleet in America to function fully on EVs and B100.

County of Sacramento — Sacramento, California

Greater than 20 years in the past, Sacramento County’s Division of Waste Administration transformed its route vehicles to liquified pure fuel. Now the whole heavy waste fleet operates on renewable LNG. Different different and renewable fuels are utilized in different elements of the two,700-unit fleet, together with renewable diesel, propane, and battery-electric. In FY 21-22, 62.3% of all gasoline consumed by the fleet as an entire was different, renewable, or superior expertise (contains hybrids). The county is working with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District on a “Charging as a Service” enterprise mannequin to remove excessive up-front capital prices of electrification. 

What’s Subsequent: Migrate to different, renewable or superior expertise: 75% by 2030, 100% by 2035. Improve use of telematics to observe idling.

Detmar Logistics — San Antonio, Texas

Renewable pure fuel is the sustainability focus of this regional fleet, which may have 180 vehicles by July because it expands its footprint into the Dallas-Fort Value space. It has partnered with Beyond6 to convey the primary RNG station into the area to gasoline its 65 natural-gas-powered vehicles. 20 of them may have hybrid-electric powertrains. New trailers have been spec’ed to hold 3 extra tons than earlier trailers, decreasing truck depend wanted by 10%.

What’s subsequent: Retiring some diesel vehicles and shopping for extra RNG fueled vehicles and a fleet of Hyliion’s Hypertruck ERX to assist meet its aim to scale back complete emissions from transportation by 20% by the tip of this 12 months.

DVL Categorical — Markham, Illinois

DVL Categorical is a rising regional and long-haul for-hire fleet with 172 heavy-duty vehicles that’s targeted on freight effectivity, gasoline financial system, and decreasing idling. An emphasis on coaching and good load planning has elevated its common gasoline effectivity by over 1 mpg within the final 12 months alone, to six.8 mpg. This 12 months it’s bringing in 30 new, extra fuel-efficient Freightliner Cascadias. The corporate is planning routes to keep away from empty miles and growing native/regional and drop-and-hook lanes to chop idle time. The native/regional runs and 10 devoted lanes will assist enable DVL to make use of different fuels transferring ahead. It affords driver coaching and incentives to scale back idle time and enhance mpg – together with to its owner-operators. It has developed a brand new app (W1SE). DVL has practically eradicated its paperwork and even supplies staff reusable mugs and water bottles.

What’s subsequent: Attain a fleetwide mpg of greater than 7 mpg and purchase 5 to 10 Tesla zero-emissions vehicles; enhance native/devoted runs and open one other terminal.

Large Eagle — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Prior to now eight years, Large Eagle has lower carbon dioxide emitted all through its operation by 22%, partly resulting from changing roughly 69% of its 200-plus truck fleet to different vitality, with 131 operating on renewable pure fuel, and transferring from diesel to electrical yard vehicles. As well as, fleet route effectivity software program considerably reduces miles on the street. Large Eagle’s aim throughout its operations, not simply the fleet, is to attain internet zero carbon emissions by 2040, with an preliminary goal of fifty% carbon dioxide discount by 2030.

What’s Subsequent: Changing 100% of its fleet to different gasoline and vitality by 2030; putting in the most important rooftop photo voltaic venture in Pennsylvania.

Knight-Swift Transportation — Phoenix, Arizona

The for-hire trucking big, with 21,000-plus vehicles, operates native, regional, long-haul, intermodal/drayage and warehousing. It has a aim of a 50% discount in CO2 grams-per-mile output of your complete fleet by 2035 as in comparison with the 2019 baseline 12 months. 1,200 of its 21,000 vehicles use renewable diesel. The corporate additionally has two vehicles operating on renewable pure fuel, 5 battery-electric vehicles, and one fuel-cell electrical truck, plus electrical yard vehicles and forklifts. It additionally has 100 medium-duty vehicles, all on biodiesel. The Class 8 fleet has upwards of 80% idle cease/begin expertise put in, tremendously decreasing idle time.

What’s subsequent: Accelerated deployment of electrical Class 8 day cabs nationwide together with testing/piloting the brand new Cummins 15L ISXN pure fuel engine. Larger penetration of renewable diesel in cooperation with gasoline companions. Piloting hydrogen gasoline cell vehicles for regional haul purposes.

M&M Cartage — Louisville, Kentucky

This for-hire fleet operates primarily native cartage and supply. Of its 200 Class 8 vehicles, 117 run on renewable pure fuel, and it has obtained two battery-electric vehicles. This 12 months M&M retired older diesel tractors and changed with them with new, extra environment friendly fashions. The corporate is doing main overhauls on its current CNG vehicles to increase their lives. Operations software program helps remove empty miles. All vehicles and trailers have aerodynamic equipment, and M&M rewards and coaches drivers to enhance effectivity. In 2022, common size of haul declined, however gasoline financial system improved from an organization common of 6.35 mpg to six.5. The present campus, accomplished in 2015, doubled in dimension whereas reducing Scope 2 emissions practically in half.

What’s subsequent: Including six BEV vehicles, for a complete of eight, and constructing eight new charging stations to help them. Its aim for 2023 is to succeed in a CO2 grams per mile stage of 1550 or decrease.

NFI — Camden, New Jersey

NFI supplies regional, lengthy haul, intermodal and warehousing providers. It companions with gasoline distributors to make sure its 5,000-truck fleet makes use of cleaner fuels the place accessible. Practically 30% of its Scope 1 gasoline use is sourced from energies which might be cleaner than diesel and gasoline, together with biodiesel, renewable diesel, electrical energy, propane, compressed pure fuel, and renewable pure fuel. It’s implementing infrastructure similar to 350-kW ultra-fast DC charging cupboards, 1 megawatt of photo voltaic and 5 megawatt-hours of battery storage. To enhance freight effectivity, its proprietary instrument, FleetView, makes use of up-to-the-minute information and present climate overlays, visitors overlays, and different metrics to optimize routes.

What’s subsequent: By the tip of 2023, put into operation 100 battery-electric tractors, with 60 in Southern California drayage fleet by June, and construct the nation’s first heavy-duty electrical car upkeep store. In 2024, function its first electrical tractors on the East Coast, together with 4 Freightliner eCascadias within the NYC metro space. Pilot its first hydrogen gasoline cell tractor and take supply of 10 Hyliion Hypertruck ERX vehicles.

Nussbaum Transportation — Hudson, Illinois

Nussbaum’s concentrate on gasoline effectivity in its 550-truck fleet is relentless. Utilizing each expertise and coaching, it has achieved a fleetwide mpg of 9.1 (in comparison with the trade avg. 6.3 and best-in-class 7.9). Amongst a number of fuel-saving specs are a 2.16 rear-end ratio for higher downspeeding (it’s testing 5 vehicles with a 2.05 ratio); photo voltaic panels to recharge truck and APU batteries; in depth trailer aerodynamic add-ons; computerized tire inflation, offset wheels, and extra. Simply as vital, Nussbaum trains and incentivize drivers on fuel-efficient habits.

What’s subsequent: For 2023 attain aim of idle time 10% or much less and gasoline effectivity above 9 mpg. Testing Idle Sensible Analytics, the Mirror Eye Stoneridge system, adaptive tandems, and 40-inch cab extenders that deploy at 55 mph. 2024 mannequin vehicles may have a Detroit air suspension with a steer axle that drops 1 inch at 55 mph for elevated aerodynamics.

Outdated Dominion Freight Line — Thomasville, North Carolina

This less-than-truckload service has a fleet of greater than 11,250. It makes use of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and renewable pure fuel in places the place it is smart. Total, low-carbon diesel accounts for roughly 20% of ODFL’s complete bulk gasoline purchases. Battery-electric forklifts, a Class 8 tractor, and a switcher are being piloted in Southern California. Freight effectivity is improved by superior inbound route planning and by trailer deck bars and racking programs in its linehaul operations. Computerized tire inflation programs, low-rolling-resistance tires, aerodynamic specs on its linehaul tools are complemented by fuel-efficiency coaching for drivers that’s fine-tuned utilizing telematics information.

What’s subsequent: Proceed to judge electrical tools, pursue alternatives for bio and renewable diesels, and monitor the marketplace for new and different options in emission discount applied sciences.

Penske Logistics — Studying, Pennsylvania

Penske has integrated the newest different gasoline applied sciences autos into its fleet of some 12,000 medium- and heavy-duty autos. Partnering with Daimler Truck North America, Penske is deploying Freightliner battery-electric vehicles in southern California, supported by a community of professional quality EV charging stations at six Penske Truck Leasing services with DC fast-charging stations designed particularly for heavy-duty industrial autos. It’s changing its complete forklift fleet to electrical. Penske has demonstrated a 1% year-over-year mpg enchancment by means of fleet conversion, solely utilizing renewable diesel in California, and route optimization right-sizing packages.

What’s subsequent: Quite a few battery-electric yard vehicles are on order for supply in 2023.

Efficiency Staff – A Maersk Firm — El Segundo, California

As of December 2022, Efficiency Staff has 30 Volvo VNR Electrical vehicles in operation, together with 16 at its Santa Fe Springs, California, distribution middle and 14 at its Commerce, California, distribution middle. Drivers have already logged practically 100,000 miles operating short-haul journeys within the Los Angeles market. Efficiency Staff has put in 22 complete electrical car chargers: eight 180-kW chargers in Santa Fe Springs; and 6 350 kW and eight 150-kW chargers in Commerce.

What’s subsequent: Settle for supply of 126 Class 8, zero-tailpipe emission vehicles by Q3 2023. Its California-based fleet operates 215 vehicles, which Efficiency Staff intends to completely transition to battery-electric.

PGT Trucking — Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

PGT, which operates roughly 1,000 vehicles, has targeted on bettering upkeep and upgrading its tools for max gasoline financial system. As a part of its mannequin 12 months 2022/2023 new tools acquisitions, take a look at outcomes confirmed a 0.4 mpg enchancment from optimizing the truck tools specification. It’s putting a zero-emission, battery-electric tractor into devoted service for a buyer, it’s first enterprise into electrical autos.

What’s subsequent: In late 2023, start receiving hydrogen FCEV vehicles from Nikola (gamma in addition to early manufacturing variations) and instantly incorporate them into its Phoenix fleet. Aim: 35% discount in CO2 emissions by 2025.

Pitt Ohio — Parma, Ohio

Pitt Ohio labored with Duquesne College to develop a carbon calculator to estimate emissions from its 1,200-truck fleet and services, permitting it to estimate emissions down to every buyer and assist clients perceive their Scope 3 emissions. Gas financial system methods embrace no idling; skirted trailers for improved aerodynamics; working a contemporary and well-maintained fleet, and utilizing telematics to observe total efficiency and extra journey discount. It at the moment has three battery-electric autos, 89 electrical forklifts, and operates some 30 vehicles on compressed pure fuel. Two of its terminals are geared up with renewable vitality powered microgrids, with a number of photo voltaic and wind tasks throughout many terminals. It boasts 5 LEED Licensed buildings.

What’s subsequent: Extra electrical deployments and demonstrations for on-road use.

                  

Ruan Transportation Administration Programs — Des Moines, Iowa

Ruan, which operates a fleet of practically 4,000 heavy-duty vehicles, started testing Freightliner electrical autos in 2021. It at the moment has six electrical yard tractors, one in all which was featured in NACFE’s 2021 Run on Much less – Electrical. All refrigerated trailers bought previously seven years have a 100% plug-in electrical possibility. Ruan has logged greater than 100 million miles on CNG vehicles, powered principally with RNG from anaerobically digested cattle manure, and it makes use of renewable diesel in California (over 3 million gallons previously 3.5 years.) It really works with engine producers to develop longer-lasting, lower-emitting engines with improved efficiency and decrease gasoline consumption. Gas-saving specs embrace computerized tire inflation programs for each tractor and trailer, APUs and computerized idle shutdown, aerodynamic trailers, and extra.

What’s subsequent:  Extra EVs; piloting Hyliion Hypertruck electric-CNG hybrid tractors; offering Scope 3 fleet emissions info for patrons; switching to soy-based lubricant for all fifth wheels.

Schneider — Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin

With greater than 10,000 tractors, Schneider’s sustainability initiatives embrace including electrical autos, optimizing delivery routes and bettering freight effectivity, testing different zero-emission autos similar to hydrogen gasoline cell vehicles, making updates to its current diesel fleet, and bettering its current services. An order of practically 100 Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 battery-electric vehicles started arriving in early 2023 and the fleet is anticipated to be operational by the tip of the 12 months. It additionally ordered two electrical yard spotters to switch diesel tractors at its Rancho Cucamonga, California, facility. Gas-efficient truck specs embrace a decrease rear axle ratio, up to date rear fairing system, and electrical APUs. Simulation-based coaching and teaching programs train drivers tips on how to enhance their mileage.

What’s subsequent: Piloting a Cummins fuel-cell-electric prototype and dealing with Bakken Power on the design of the Heartland Hydrogen Hub in North Dakota.

System Freight — Jamesburg, New Jersey

This regional and devoted for-hire fleet of 500 tractor and three,600 trailers continues to judge different gasoline car use in its operations. It’s increasing ordering of the fuel-efficient turbo compounding engine platform from Mack and Volvo, with 175 at the moment in service. These vehicles are geared for gasoline environment friendly operation, and at the moment obtain 8 to 9 mpg on common.

What’s subsequent: Changing over 150 older diesel vehicles with a extra fuel-efficient mannequin within the subsequent 12 to 18 months. Evaluating a brand new engine platform coming in 2024 it believes will enable its subsequent incremental effectivity beneficial properties till it will probably make the case to make use of EVs in its working atmosphere.

TCI Transportation — Commerce, California

With greater than 3,000 autos in intermodal, native, and regional operations, TCI is utilizing different fuels (similar to compressed pure fuel and renewable pure fuel) and battery-electric drivetrains. It has 20 Tesla Semi electrical tractors on order, together with 50 electrical yard tractors and one other 30 Class 4 EVs. 4 of its service autos are 100% electrical for non-highway autos, and it’s utilizing electrical yard tractors at a few of its devoted operations. In Southern California, there may be 700 kw of photo voltaic on its facility rooftops. TCI has been accredited for the SCE Cost prepared program for 20 charging stations at its Fontana, California, facility, and expects an extra 20 extra charging stations at its Los Angeles location. TCI makes use of 5 totally different software program packages to optimize routing.

What’s subsequent: Working with MZHCI, an investor relations and sustainability consulting agency, to assist set up targets for its fleet and footprint.

Werner Enterprises — Omaha, Nebraska

The trucking and logistics big, with greater than 8,600 vehicles, is onboarding 10 Freightliner eCascadias in California, testing electrical yard vehicles, and bringing on a hydrogen gasoline cell electrical car to judge. Werner is on the management committee for Mid-Continent Clear Hydrogen Hub. It bought and is testing a hybrid diesel battery-assist car in addition to 15L pure fuel engines. Photo voltaic panels are being piloted on practically 50 vehicles to increase battery life and cut back jump-starts. Werner improves gasoline financial system and freight effectivity by sustaining a younger fleet optimized for gasoline effectivity, together with idle discount expertise and APUs.

What’s subsequent: Scale back its greenhouse fuel emissions by 55% by 2035. Disclose Scope 2 greenhouse fuel emissions by 2025. Purchase hydrogen inside combustion engines in 2024. Proceed to check pure fuel, different gasoline and fuel-blend choices, carbon seize, and extra. Double intermodal by 2030, additional decreasing emissions.

Yellow Corp. — Nashville, Tennessee

Yellow’s focus is modernizing its LTL community by means of its One Yellow initiative, eliminating pointless mileage to enhance freight effectivity. It’s additionally utilizing digital logging gadget information to detect and coach drivers on pointless idling. And it purchases greater than 250,000 lodge room nights annually as an alternative of idling vehicles in a single day. A latest fleet refresh is displaying important reductions in NOx emissions together with enhancements in C02 grams per ton mile and PM reductions. Yellow buys lots of of hundreds of gallons of biodiesel yearly. A pilot venture is evaluating electrical yard tractors in California.

What’s subsequent: Proceed to make use of expertise as a vital associate to make sure linehaul trailers are optimized and loaded excessive and tight and that on town aspect it’s utilizing probably the most environment friendly routes.