Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630225
positive," the company statement reports. In an October bulletin, EMA states that engine manufacturers face challenges in testing the perfor- mance characteristics of renewable diesel. "Renewable hydrocarbon diesel may be produced through different processes using any one of several feedstocks," the report states. "It is diffi cult for engine manufacturers to evaluate and approve a fuel defi ned as renewable hydrocarbon diesel without fi rst determining the feed- stock and process utilized for its production." The largest provider of renewable diesel fuel in the U.S., Neste, favors using feedstocks that do not come directly from the food chain, such as animal fats and waste material. Neste will be supplying supplying UPS with 46 million gallons of its NEXBTL renewable diesel over the next three years. EMA says some engine manufac- turers have recommended renew- able diesel, while others haven't been as enthusiastic. "Some (manufacturers) are con- cerned, however, that neat renew- able hydrocarbon fuel or fuel blends having a high percentage of renew- able hydrocarbon fuel may cause engine malfunction," EMA reports. "Engine manufacturers continue to evaluate renewable hydrocarbon diesel fuel to determine potential concerns and consider additional standard recommendations." EMA did not provide the names of engine manufacturers that have concerns with the fuel. Cummins expects to be done with its initial testing early this year. The Indiana-based company will be examining the fuel's impact on emissions, maintenance intervals, performance, reliability and durabil- ity. Fuel density, cetane number, energy content and other character- istics of the fuel will be evaluated. Cummins is also hoping to get feedback from consumers who have been using renewable diesel in Cummins engines. They can con- tribute to the evaluation by contact- ing their Cummins account manager or calling 1-800-DIESELS. "We welcome any actual fi eld data that customers have experienced in Cummins engines and renewable diesel fuel to assist in our evalua- tion," the company states. EMA reports that renewable diesel's density is lower which thus makes its energy content lower as well. Still, EMA advises that not enough data is available yet to 16 www.studentdriverplacement.com February '16 |Tomorrow's Trucks |