Industry Heavyweights To Test RNG

Three industry heavyweights are teaming up to demonstrate the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) in heavy-duty trucks. Walmart is providing the trucks. Cummins is providing the engines. Chevron is providing the fuel.

The Collaboration

Walmart will field test heavy-duty trucks outfitted with Cummins’ new 15-liter natural gas engine, the X15N, at its distribution center in Fontana, California. Walmart’s collaboration with Chevron and Cummins is one of many technologies the company is testing to reach zero emissions in its fleet and is part of its broader goal to achieve zero emissions in its operations by 2040.

“Testing compressed natural gas [CNG] linked to RNG marks a significant steppingstone for Walmart’s path to zero-emissions transportation,” said Luke McCollum, vice president of Supply Chain Sustainability at Walmart.

The Engine

Cummins unveiled its plans for a 15-liter natural gas engine for heavy-duty trucks in October 2021. The X15N engine will offer ratings up to 500 hp and 1850 ft.-lb. of torque and is expected to weigh 500 lb. less than comparable 15-liter diesel engines currently available on the market while not requiring selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet 2024 California or Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards.

“Cummins is excited to work with Walmart and Chevron on heavy-duty natural gas trucks and fuel availability,” said Puneet Jhawar, general manager of Natural Gas at Cummins. “The Cummins X15N natural gas powertrain allows for fleets to significantly reduce their emissions footprint starting almost immediately on a large scale with competitive equipment costs, while providing the power, range, and performance characteristics customers expect from Cummins.”

The Fuel

Chevron will be responsible for linking the RNG to the CNG dispensed by Walmart into its natural gas trucks. Chevron has partnerships with Brightmark LLC and California Bioenergy LLC to produce RNG from dairy farms, which under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard can qualify as carbon negative on a lifecycle basis.

“Chevron has positioned itself to help major fleet operators like Walmart in their efforts to decarbonize their transportation operations through the use of CNG linked to RNG,” said Andy Walz, president of Americas Fuels & Lubricants for Chevron. “As we continue to rapidly grow our RNG business, we aim to leverage the power of our partnerships to the benefit of new and existing customers who seek lower-carbon transportation solutions.”