Straddling 2 Worlds: Energy Abundance and the Clean-Energy Future

by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum/Biobased Diesel Daily) Today we are living in two worlds. One is of energy abundance brought to us by fossil fuels. The other is a world that envisions zero carbon and a clean-energy future. Where exactly does diesel technology fit in this picture? Some might say the past or nowhere, while others say the future and everywhere. Diesel uniquely and effectively straddles both these worlds, delivering everything that we need today while ready to play a role in the clean-energy future.

Fifteen sectors of the global economy rely largely on diesel today. Fundamental changes to every global energy and economic sector won’t happen overnight. Geopolitical conflicts are now highlighting the fragility and uncertainty of energy and supply chains daily. That’s true for both for fossil fuels and the rare metals and elements that are essential for batteries and electrification strategies.

People and economies must live in the reality of the moment. Our decisions and expectations should not forsake available near-term opportunities in favor of longer-term potential solutions to make progress on climate change. The Biden administration has made significant commitments both in policy and public funding to accelerate the introduction of electrified technologies and essential infrastructure for transportation. It is also considering even tighter emissions standards for new trucks five years from now.

While electric and hydrogen technologies seem to hold real promise for decarbonizing some sectors of the economy, most manufacturers say these technologies are far from becoming mainstream in the near term, particularly for commercial trucks and off-road applications. Yet, many stakeholders and communities are calling for immediate changes. Herein lies the opportunity.

The existing older fleet of vehicles and equipment largely dominates the emissions profile today and will for decades to come. Policymakers need to think beyond the old paradigm of only setting tighter new-engine standards for the future and embrace other approaches that cut emissions faster and deliver benefits sooner. Accelerating the turnover of the existing fleet of older vehicles and equipment to this new generation of technology and using more renewable, biobased diesel fuels offers this tremendous opportunity.

As we recently testified to the U.S. EPA, the new generation of advanced diesel technology is a success story.

Our other major opportunity lies in renewable energy in the form of liquid fuels. Billions of gallons of renewable, biobased diesel fuels are used each year, 3 billion in 2021 alone. Imagine the opportunity for using more biobased diesel fuels in the millions of existing vehicles and equipment. This would not require any change other than the fuel. No need for new vehicles. No waiting on new infrastructure. The result is lower emissions—as much as 20 to 80 percent fewer compared to conventional diesel fuel, as well as cleaner air in neighborhoods and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

If we want to make progress in this moment, progress toward cleaner air and greenhouse gas reductions, very good options are available. Replacing old diesel trucks with new ones and using more biobased diesel fuels are two available, affordable, and comparatively simple solutions that can deliver a full range of benefits now. READ MORE