Gas exchange

Alternative fuels such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas are attracting interest from trucking companies as the federal government prepares to reduce emissions limits by 2027.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s new rules on heavy-duty diesel engine standards starting with 2027 models includes stricter standards aimed at lowering air pollutant emissions.

“As these emissions standards get more stringent, there is increased opportunity for [compressed natural gas] to be a winner in this market,” says George Faatz, director of marketing and commercial strategy for Atlanta-based Southern Company Gas, parent company of Virginia Natural Gas.

Compressed natural gas is the same natural gas used in homes and businesses, but it’s compressed and dispensed at a higher pressure so it can be used in vehicles. CNG vehicles produce up to 90% fewer nitrogen oxide emissions than gasoline or diesel and can reduce greenhouse gases by up to 21%, compared with gasoline or diesel.

“Transit buses and other fleet operators have used it for decades,” Faatz says.

When diesel prices hit a two-year high in November 2020, interest in CNG surged. “The price of CNG is generally less than diesel. It offers affordability and sustainability. It’s also cleaner than diesel,” Faatz says. “It doesn’t need additional exhaust treatment technology to clean up the diesel emissions on trucks.”

National companies such as UPS have made significant investments in CNG, as has Chesapeake-based TFC Recycling. “We were, to my understanding, the first company in Virginia to not only use CNG but to also put in a CNG fueling station, which was completed in 2011,” says Mike “Recycle” Benedetto, president of TFC.

Using alternative fuel coincides with the company’s core business of recycling. “We wanted to walk the talk, leave a legacy,” Benedetto says, adding that TFC made a $1.5 million investment in the fueling station and initially invested more than $7 million to acquire about 20 CNG vehicles. “We wanted to be in the forefront when it came to reducing emissions.”

TFC’s trucks are refueled overnight via a slow-fill process. “We don’t have to worry about diesel fuel spilling,” Benedetto says. “Our drivers enjoy the convenience of just having to hook it up and not wait until the tank fills, and the tanks fill themselves overnight.”

Hydrogen gas has some of the same advantages as CNG when it comes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, as well as fueling.

“Hydrogen features higher energy and faster refuel time in heavy trucks compared to batteries, giving fleet operators longer range and faster turnaround time,” says Brett Malone, president of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. “Also, it’s a known entity. Industry has been using hydrogen for years. We know how to produce it, store it and transport it. It’s now a matter of harnessing this abundant resource to support industry’s transition to a more sustainable fuel source.”

The research center is partnering with the Hampton Roads Alliance and the cities of Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach to create a green hydrogen fuel program and production facility at Newport News’ Tech Center Research Park.

“As a center for innovation, VTCRC is where industry and university researchers come together to explore the adoption of these emerging fuel technologies,” says Malone, adding, “We aim to launch our hydrogen demonstrator by 2025.” 

The center has had a great deal of interest from companies, especially those with aggressive sustainability goals. “They are looking to be net-zero in the next 10 years. Our goal is to help them get there,” Malone says.

Faatz of Southern Company Gas says he’s seen a growing interest in CNG from the Hampton Roads business community, especially around new fleet purchases. “We view the future as bright,” he says. “This is a solution that is proven.”