Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630222
www.jobsfor teams.com JOBS for TEAMS | 38 Synthetic diesel benefits, Equipment Spotlight A s fleets continue to add renew- able diesel to their alternative fuel line-up, major diesel engine manufacturer Cummins says it's exercising caution as it continues to test the biofuel. "Cummins is still evaluating the use of renewable diesel and is not yet in a posi- tion to approve or disapprove the use of renewable diesel fuels," reads a state- ment the company provided last month to Hard Working Trucks. "The environmental benefits look promising and we support the efforts to reduce the GHG (greenhouse gases) and overall emission footprint of our products." Renewable diesel is produced from various plant and animal matter. In earlier tests, the synthetic fuel produced impres- sive emissions results that beat conven- tional diesel. Piquing even more interest is the fact that the alternative fuel can be used as a direct diesel substitute, requir- ing no engine modifications, according to the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA; the T is omitted). The biofuel's compatibility and its reduced emissions have made it a popular alternative fuel among a growing number of fleets, including global package deliv- ery giant UPS. (Refer to HWT article "Re- newable diesel attracting more fleets.") In a July press release, UPS reported that renewable diesel "offers superior performance and benefits, much like how synthetic lubricants are used in cars instead of petroleum-based lubricants." However, other than lowering emis- sions, Cummins does not expect renew- able diesel to have an impact on engine durability. "Provided a fuel meets the various global and OEM specifications, the fuel should not have any impact on engine durability, negative or positive," the com- pany statement reports. In an October bulletin, EMA states that engine manufacturers face challenges in drawbacks still unclear, engine makers say