Advanced Engines and Renewable Fuels: A Sustainable Solution for Power and Mobility

Earth Day 2025 Statement

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Engine Technology Forum issued the following statement, from Allen Schaeffer, executive director on the eve of Earth Day 2025 (April 22):

"As we recognize Earth Day 2025, we celebrate all that has been accomplished, but recognize more must be done.  

"The economic, energy, and environmental challenges facing society today are complex and don't have a singular solution. Our future depends on a world where zero emission technology and advanced engines compete and co-exist. Manufacturers of engines and equipment, component suppliers, and fuel producers are meeting this moment with a range of increasingly efficient and productive options available for powering the nation's cars, trucks, machines, and equipment as well as energy-rich, clean, and renewable fuel options to power them.

"Internal combustion engines (ICEs) will remain the standard and often the only power option in hundreds of applications serving every corner of the globe for the foreseeable future, which makes the continuous improvements in engines and fuels critical to ensuring progress toward environment and energy goals.

"Engine and equipment makers are meeting the challenge of a more sustainable environment through reduced emissions, improved fuel efficiency, remanufacturing of engines and components, and expanded use of renewable biofuels as well as new fuels like hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia.

"According to EPA, national concentrations of all criteria pollutants are now below the most recent health-based standards. This could have not been accomplished without the continuous improvement in design, materials, combustion efficiency, and emissions controls that have defined the engine, vehicle, and equipment industries for several decades. Since 2010 for commercial trucks and 2014 for most off-road equipment, emissions from advanced engines have been reduced by over 90% to today's near zero levels.

"Beyond achievements in lower emissions, engines are increasingly energy efficient, contributing to significant reductions of carbon emissions. For example, in the nation's trucking fleets recent real world tests and Federal Highway Administration Data show the national average fuel economy of commercial trucks has improved by 16-18% over 2013 models, with some individual drivers and fleets reporting gains of over 50%.

"Expanding the use of advanced renewable biofuels in all engines contributes to reducing emissions while diversifying our energy resources. The U.S. is on track to surpass 5 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel consumption for the first time in 2024. In California 70% of the state's diesel fuel pool is now renewable diesel fuel, a drop-in replacement for petroleum diesel. In 2024, more than 79% of all natural gas used in the transportation sector was renewable natural gas, a fuel that can achieve a carbon-negative fleet outcome depending on its source.  

"Virtually all of the several hundred million engines in the population can utilize some level of renewable biofuels. From using 100% renewable diesel in backup power generators and marine vessels and locomotives to expanding the use of biodiesel in highway trucks, renewable fuels provide a growing choice for vehicle and equipment owners to do their share for a better environment.

"The potential of hydrogen for ICE holds additional promise as a new option to power the trucking and heavy equipment sectors. New engines designed to run on hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and e-fuels demonstrate the engine industry's commitment to offer new and innovative options for powering marine vessels, commercial trucks, and heavy equipment.

"For several decades, remanufacturing of engines and components has been standard practice of the engine industry; reducing demand for raw materials, energy consumption, and waste generated while providing important options for engine and equipment users. From heavy-duty engines to components like fuel injectors and emissions control catalysts, remanufacturing contributes to an expanding circular economy."

About the Engine Technology Forum

Founded on the principles of fact-based education, science, outreach and collaboration, the Engine Technology Forum is dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the benefits of advanced engines and the fuels that they use, as well as how these contribute to a sustainable future. Connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Sign up for our digital newsletter, too.

SOURCE Engine Technology Forum