Researchers have found a somewhat promising source for producing biodiesel. And though it would only supply a fraction of the need, the silver lining is that it keeps the would-be waste material out of the landfill and turns it into something useful. Engineers at the University of Louisiana are proposing alligator fat as the basis for making alternative fuel, particularly for its easily convertable oil content. They say it’s similar to biodiesel produced from soybeans, but its pluses are that it wouldn’t take away from a food source or drive up its prices as a result. Thus far, converting Continue Reading

Prior to the recent unrest in Libya, the Middle Eastern country produced about 2 percent of the world’s supply of oil. An interruption, whether it ranges from the relatively short term to a much longer period, is projected to have little impact on diesel fuel prices for U.S. trucking fleets. If anything, an effect won’t trickle to the pump for as much as a year from now, according to an analyst from the Oil Price Information Service. And even then, the impact will be determined the global economic state at that time. For example, the recent dips in fuel prices are Continue Reading

While prices at the pump have only been slightly less painful, don’t expect them to improve by declining, according to experts. Diesel in the U.S. tumbled by more than 10 cents a gallon on average, but that’s expected to be something of the calm before the storm. For the short term, prices will range from about $3.65 to $3.90 a gallon, and longer term, diesel could fetch upwards of $4 a gallon, according to the Continue Reading

Just as federal fuel efficiency standards were announced, Volvo Trucks North America received $19 million to develop technologies to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Though the OEM received the funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s “SuperTruck” program, such research will no doubt further the new more stringent fuel efficiency standards. Any efficiency improvements would hold a Continue Reading

The new federal fuel efficiency standards announced by US President Barack Obama may have some far-reaching effects. After the proposed 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission goals detailed on Tuesday, the Canadian Trucking Alliance is pushing for Ottawa to adopt a similar set of eco-friendly rules for the trucking industry. Specifically, the CTA wants to accelerate the penetration of new EPA2010-compliant tractors into the marketplace and incentives to retrofit older vehicles with fuel-saving technologies, as well as see lawmakers embrace the Continue Reading

Most stakeholder groups in the trucking industry are cheering the new federal fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks announced Tuesday. With the exception of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Assn. (OOIDA), the new targets for reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions were met with praise. One of the advantages of the plan is to reduce dependence on foreign oil. In order to develop technologies to achieve these ambitious standards, a number of OEMs will be put to work, though several said the new federal fuel efficiency goals align well with Continue Reading

New federal fuel efficiency standards were announced yesterday, and they affect a broad span of vehicles, ranging from tractor-trailers, heavy-duty pickups and vans, and vocational uses. Tractor-trailers are targeted to achieve a 20 percent reduction in both fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions by model year 2018. Within this group, there are even more specific requirements determined by design and Continue Reading

On the heels of an announcement calling for improved fuel economy goals for cars and light-duty trucks, President Obama is set to make a similar announcement regarding heavy-duty vehicles on Tuesday, Aug. 9. Just last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed a 20 percent reduction of emissions and improved fuel economy for heavy-duty trucks beginning with the Continue Reading

Fuel prices are taking an ever so slight plunge at the pump, albeit a short-lived one, according to seveal industry sources. A decline in demand is the main reason for the decrease in price, but continued uncertainty globally will prevent too significant of an improvement in price. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average cost of diesel in the U.S. is now $3.94 per gallon–a drop of just under 5 cents from last week– but a decline of 12 cents per gallon since the week of May 16. Declining fuel consumption can help reduce fuel prices, but many other factors affect Continue Reading

The trucking industry is getting strong enough to weather the effects of higher fuel prices, but not all small or medium-sized companies may make it. Research firm FTR Associates surmises that fuel prices have reached their peak, yet even despite the increases, it’s not slowing down fleets that are looking to replace older equipment. Orders for Class 8 vehicles have jumped by triple-digit percentage points–158 percent, according to ACT Research, which predicts those numbers could be even higher if fuel prices were lower. Not everyone will be able to survive the latest jump in fuel, but the Continue Reading