April 27, 2025. Energy Vision’s latest report, “A Path to a Healthier America: Ditching Old Diesel Trucks,” presents compelling findings that highlight the immense potential of renewable natural gas (RNG) trucks in transforming the heavy-duty vehicle industry.
The report meticulously compares the public health benefits, costs, commercial availability, and performance of three cleaner alternatives – renewable diesel (RD), RNG, and electric vehicles (EVs) – to replace the nation’s oldest 20% of heavy-duty diesel trucks. The report’s conclusion confirms what we have known for years – RNG trucks are the top choice in this comparison.
“A pivotal shift to RNG trucks can drive meaningful progress in both industry standards and environmental sustainability. We urge policymakers to support and incentivize the use of RNG trucks, ensuring that these benefits are realized on a broader scale,” said CRTA President Nicole Rice in response to Energy Vision’s definitive conclusions. “This will help achieve near-term emission reductions while also providing significant health and economic benefits to impacted communities, advancing us towards a zero-emission future.”
RNG trucks are not only widely available but also match the performance of diesel trucks. With approximately 90,000 heavy-duty compressed natural gas vehicles capable of running on RNG currently on U.S. roadways, they far outnumber heavy-duty EVs. This extensive availability makes RNG trucks a practical and immediate solution for replacing older diesel trucks, ensuring a smooth transition to cleaner technology.
Energy Vision’s report underscores the proven advantages of RNG trucks in the heavy-duty vehicle sector. The comprehensive analysis highlights their superior performance, cost-effectiveness, and significant environmental benefits. As the report concludes, RNG trucks stand out as the most viable option for immediately replacing diesel, offering substantial improvements in public health and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.