As part of attaining its environmental goals, Walmart is adding the first North American heavy-duty truck powered by a 15-liter compressed natural gas engine and it has plans for four more in its private truck fleet.
Last year, Walmart announced several first-of-their-kind initiatives the company was launching in its Class 8 transportation fleet to help reach a goal of zero emissions across global operations by 2040. Now, in time for Earth Week, Walmart is introducing the CNG-powered truck, the company noted, characterizing the vehicle as an important milestone in its transportation journey.
Trucking has historically relied on diesel to fuel its engines. Walmart is introducing trucks fueled by renewable natural gas as an important step toward lowering fleet emissions. Renewable natural gas comes from biomethane, which is the product of decomposing organic matter, such as farm and landfill waste, that is captured, treated and processed into fuel. In the atmosphere, methane traps 25 times as much heat as carbon dioxide so what is not captured and processed from the sources producing it becomes a potent greenhouse gas.
“Walmart transportation is focused on the continuous piloting of solutions that aren’t just changing the industry, but are having a lasting impact on the world,” said Fernando Cortes, Walmart senior vp of transportation “We are proud to team with Cummins and Chevron to develop industry-leading advancements that pave toward a lower carbon future.”
