Page 21 - ATR 3 2014 web

various points and are in different spots
every week, there are still some infra-
structure challenges there.”
Given the challenges involved in
converting to natural gas, how can the
industry’s many small fleets with less
than 25 tractors make the conversion? “The prospecT for a fully hybrid Truck for
Demo trucks are available, Riedl said, loNg-haul is NoT really iN The cards.”
with the best program probably offered
by Freightliner, which allows fleets to
drive the trucks for an extended period —dr. liNda capuaNo, former Vice presideNT of
of time. Riedl advised fleets to partner TechNology for housToN-based maraThoN oil corp.
with other trucking companies and
work through trade associations. When
two or three of their trucks are reaching
the end of their duty cycle, fleets can
partner with other trucking companies
to assure fuel station owners that a shouldn’t be arguing over the first four without government support, but they
customer base will be available if they percent of market share, but the last need fleet customers. Riedl said one
install a pump. four, Riedl said. fleet operator told him, “The last thing I
The presenters covered other ques- “We are really for alternative fuels want is the government telling me how
tions from audience members, includ- on the whole,” he said. “We believe to buy my trucks. ... I can get creative
ing safety issues. A question was asked there’s an opportunity for each and enough to figure out how to do this. I
if the combustibility of natural gas every one of those fuels to have a share just need to work with the people that
compared to diesel has been studied. of the market.” I’m hauling goods for.”
Capuano said many studies have been But those other alternative fuels Riedl expressed confidence in the
conducted, and in some cases, natural face challenges, Riedl and Capuano natural gas industry’s ability to compete
gas designs have improved to the point said. Dimethyl ether, which Volvo in the current regulatory environment.
that they are less combustible than die- has pioneered, remains a niche fuel. Most regulations are coming from the
sel and gasoline. Propane can serve as a fuel for school state level, he said. He said the industry
Riedl said that “the ignition win- buses but won’t be hauling 80,000 is improving its ability to recycle water.
dow for natural gas is so finite, that pounds, Riedl said. Capuano said the In fact, about 98 percent of the water
from a combustibility standpoint, Advancing Technology for America’s used for drilling is reused. Meanwhile,
safety-wise, it’s really hard to light Transportation study didn’t see a path- technology is being considered that
natural gas on fire.” Another safety way for it to be more dominant. Battery wouldn’t require water. In response to
issue involves fill-ups of LNG vehicles. technology has not developed enough to a question, both said other parts of the
Because the gas is cooled to -259 degrees allow for long-distance travel. According country are not seeing as much resis-
Fahrenheit, faces and hands must to Capuano, “The prospect for a fully tance to fracking as has been seen in
be protected when filling up. While hybrid truck for long-haul is not really central Arkansas.
that is an issue, Riedl and Capuano in the cards. It might be something So with the expanding availability
pointed out that safety issues are always that might be a niche market in some of domestic natural gas, the steadiness
involved when using natural gas as a smaller class trucks if you have a very of natural gas expenses, dedication
fuel source, such as when boiling water. specialized use.” to increasing the CNG/LNG fueling
Closely related are maintenance issues. Taxes, subsidies and the regulatory infrastructure and a significant—albeit
Because natural gas rises, garages’ heat- environment were subjects of several gradual—savings to carriers, the clean
ing and air circulation systems must be questions. Riedl said natural gas is cur- energy revolution seems to be finally
modified. rently taxed unfairly compared to diesel living up to the hype. But we shouldn’t
Riedl pointed out that natural gas fuel, and he hopes to see a committee expect a full conversion in the next five
is involved in other alternative fuels. vote in Congress that would eventually years.
Propane is an off-product of natural lead to rectifying that. Both Riedl and “No one is going to do a wholesale
gas drilling, while electricity for elec- Capuano said they preferred a market- switch into natural gas,” Rield said.
tric vehicles is produced at a power based approach to a subsidized one that “You’re going to dip a toe in the water,
plant that can be fueled by natural gas. would distort the market. Fueling infra- which is the commonsense way to
The various alternative fuels providers structure providers are ready to build approach this.”

ArkAnsAs truckinG report | issue 3 2014 21