NTEA trucking survey shows growth in biodiesel use

The Association for the Work Truck Industry (NTEA) recently released the 2016 results of its Fleet Purchasing Outlook Survey, which show biodiesel as both the current best selling alternative fuel and the one with the most future interest.

“The evolution of alternative fuel technologies is still triggering change for vocational truck specifications,” NTEA Managing Director Doyle Sumrall said. “However, general interest has dropped in recent years due to persistently low oil costs and will likely remain muted until prices rebound. Despite current challenges facing the alternative fuels movement, fleet interest in biodiesel has remained strong, actually increasing in 2016 as compared to the previous year.”

The 2015 results saw 15 percent of fleets using biodiesel, while the survey data for this year found 18 percent of fleets are now reporting biodiesel use.

The NTEA conducts its Fleet Purchasing Outlook Survey each December, canvassing industry stakeholders on the commercial vehicle landscape. The 2016 results include information garnered from fleet professionals from a wide array of backgrounds, including a range of fleet sizes, vehicle weight classes and ways in which their trucks are used.

Biodiesel fuel, which is made from resources ranging from soybean oil, recycled cooking oil and animal fats, allows fleets to improve performance and sustainability while reducing carbon emissions.