Study Concludes That Improving Truck Fuel Economy Would Create More Than 120K New US Jobs by 2030

. California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan lead the way with more than 4,000 additional jobs apiece by 2030.

An increase in US annual gross domestic product of $4 billion by 2020 and $10 billion by 2030.

Savings of more than $120,000 per truck for fleets operating new advanced-technology heavy-duty tractor-trailers over eight years, after recovering the initial $62,000 investment.

Per-truck savings of more than $80,000 over 10 years (used truck) and 15 years (new truck) for owners of advanced-technology heavy-duty tractors without trailers.

Package delivery fleets can expect to save $11,000 to $26,000 over 12 years of ownership for every box truck updated with advanced technologies.

Overall investment costs in 2020 total $4.7 billion, with net savings of $10 billion at fuel prices of about $3.50 per gallon.

Overall investment costs in 2030 total $13.4 billion with net savings of $24 billion at fuel prices of about $3.50 per gallon.

Savings of 100 billion gallons of diesel and gasoline between 2010 and 2030.

Annual fuel savings in 2030 could top 11 billion gallons of diesel and gasoline.

Global warming emissions reductions of 140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030.

Despite real business case benefits, uncertainty about future policies can stall the development of these valuable new technologies. Smart federal policy, including clear, long-term performance standards and financial incentives, would help truck owners and the industry make the transition and stimulate the economy at the same time.

—Bill Van Amburg, senior vice president of CALSTART

Resources

• Don Anair and Jamie Hall (2010) Delivering Jobs: The Economic Costs and Benefits of Improving the Fuel Economy of Heavy-Duty Vehicles