More than 10 Million Miles to Illustrate That Fleets Can Help Lower Carbon Emissions Today

 

Our partners at Optimus Technologies recently hosted a webinar published on ACT-News.com, that discusses how fleets can use 100% biodiesel (B100) to lower lifecycle carbon emissions in their operations immediately. The webinar featured three speakers: Colin Huwyler, CEO of Optimus Technologies; Brandon Rick, Transportation Workstream Lead at ADM Trucking, a private bulk carrier that piloted the Optimus system on five trucks; and Jason Nordt, Fuel Management Officer at DC Department of Public Works, a municipal fleet that has deployed more than 140 trucks with the Optimus system. 

 
Published with permission from Optimus Technologies. Video originally published on ACT-News.com 

Q&A 

Q: What are the practical steps needed to greatly expand the availability of biodiesel? 

Rick (ADM Trucking): “This is something that I've been kind of going around and talking about recently with a lot of peers in the industry, and it really comes down to coalition.  As Colin mentioned, there are about six locations that will be rolled out by the end of this year. Those six locations weren't selected by accident. Those six locations are areas where groups of B99 Optimus users are looking at their travel and their lanes of work, and they're figuring out together where the fuel density lies. And so, it's important to connect and network with people in the industry.” 

Q: What about the operational costs of using B100 compared to diesel or other fuels? 

Rick (ADM Trucking): “We didn't really see a significant increase in OPEX. We carried some extra filters in case we had some early on plugging and clogging.” 

Q: Is there any difference in going with a brand-new truck that runs on biodiesel versus retrofitting an existing traditional diesel truck? 

Nordt (DC Director of Public Works): “It's been beneficial on both assets.  The Vector System is both DOE and EPA compliant and we've noticed a lot of benefits in our annual reports when we measure the performance of these heavy-duty trucks. Both the district, as well as a number of other fleets that have deployed the technology, have been able to leverage the USDA HBIP funding, so the high biodiesel blend infrastructure program funding for retail fueling upgrades and return to base fueling deployments, and then funding from EPA through the DERA program for deploying new assets and retiring older ones. There are incentives out there for this kind of fuel, especially from USDA.”  

Q: Are there fuel additives that are recommended to keep fuel stable over time? 

Huwyler (Optimus Technologies): “Generally, biodiesel has a higher cetane value than traditional diesel. So cetane enhancers aren't necessary. The oxidative reserve of the fuel is high. So, it has stable shelf storage. And then the only other kind of reason predominantly that fuel gets treated is a pour point reducer to help operate in cold climates. But because the Optimus system is fully heated and conditioned, there's no advantage to adding a pour point reducer.” 

Key highlights from the webinar: 

  • B100 can be used in existing diesel engines with the Optimus system, an automated and heated fuel system that switches between B100 and diesel depending on the engine conditions. The system does not require any driver engagement or behavior change and can be installed on new or existing trucks. 
  • B100 has several advantages over diesel and other alternative fuels, such as reducing soot emissions, extending regeneration intervals, improving engine performance, lowering maintenance costs, and avoiding infrastructure challenges. 
  • B100 can be sourced and dispensed with existing infrastructure and supply chains. Federal and state incentives are available to support its adoption. However, the availability of B100 at retail stations is still limited and requires collaboration and coordination among fleets and fuel retailers to create demand and density.
  • B100 can help fleets meet their lower carbon intensity targets and mandates without compromising their operations or uptime. The speakers share their real-world experiences and data from using B100 in different applications and climates, and they report positive results and feedback. 
  • Learn more about the partnership between Chevron Renewable Energy Group and Optimus Technologies.