Biodiesel Big Rigs Roll Into Great American Trucking Show

DALLAS, Texas, August 24, 2007 (ENS) - The first group of SmartWay Grow & Go truckers to use renewable fuels was recognized today by the top air official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's today at the Great American Trucking Show in the Dallas Convention Center.

Truckers are now using biodiesel and a new computer software is making it easy for them to find truck-accessible biodiesel fueling sites along their planned routes.

"Trucking companies of all sizes and types are joining EPA in our drive toward a cleaner environment and more secure energy supply," said Bob Meyers, principal deputy administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "With their new SmartWay-certified trucks, and a big commitment to renewable fuel use, these companies are leading the way."

Also at the show, the agency displayed a fleet of six new SmartWay-certified tractors and trailers that could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.

The SmartWay big rigs are equipped with a series of advanced aerodynamic features, idle-reduction options, and low-rolling resistance tires that together can serve as a model for improving the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks by up to 20 percent.

EPA launched SmartWay Grow & Go in October 2006 to promote the environmental benefits of renewable fuels through the agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership. Today, Grow & Go Partners were honored with an award certificate at a breakfast with Meyers and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

The EPA is working with 600 partners representing the ground freight industry under the SmartWay Transport Partnership to help establish incentives for fuel efficiency improvements and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To date, SmartWay partners have saved more than 350 million gallons of diesel fuel and eliminated nearly four million metric tons of carbon dioxide, primarily through the adoption of fuel-saving technologies and strategies.

Truckers can now use their laptops or any computer to find truck-accessible biodiesel fueling sites along their routes. At the Great American Truck Show Thursday, the National Biodiesel Board and ProMiles announced the availability of biodiesel locations in ProMiles XF, the commercial vehicle/truck routing and mileage software for professional drivers and fleets.

"I've been a ProMiles user for years and I rely on it for all of my routing," said Tony Hamilton, company driver with Dixie Midwest Express, Alabama. "Having biodiesel locations available helps me to use my fuel of choice and incorporate it into my planning instead of going out of my way to search for it when on the road."

The National Biodiesel Board, ProMiles, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Oil Price Information Service are working together to produce a continuously updated and accurate list of truck-accessible biodiesel locations to be included in mapping software.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel for diesel engines made from domestic vegetable oils and animal fats. It can be used in any diesel engine at a B20 blend or lower, with few or no modifications and it cuts harmful emissions. Today, more than 700 major fleets use biodiesel commercially, and more than 1,100 retail filling stations, half of which are truck-accessible, make B100 and various blends available to the public.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.