More than 37 percent of all diesel-powered medium and heavy duty commercial trucks registered in the United States are now equipped with “clean diesel” technology (model year 2007 or newer) according to a recent report from the Diesel Technology Forum.
Of those, 22 percent now feature the newest clean diesel technology (2010 and later model year), meaning they are also near zero emissions in nitrogen oxides.
DTF says the fuel efficiency benefits of more modern engines is one of the main drivers of their increased uptake, though simple equipment turnover schedules obviously play a large role, too.
Stronger truck sales last year also gave the country’s clean diesel fleet a boost.
The analysis of the penetration of modern diesel engines was based on data of Class 3-8 vehicles in operation compiled by IHS Automotive in all 50 states through the end of 2014.