{"id":1820,"date":"2024-08-01T12:16:22","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T12:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ladingcargo.com\/blog\/?p=1820"},"modified":"2024-10-18T12:25:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T12:25:35","slug":"new-jerseys-take-on-propane-trucks-their-role-in-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ladingcargo.com\/blog\/new-jerseys-take-on-propane-trucks-their-role-in-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey’s Take on Propane Trucks: Their Role in the Energy Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The energy transition in trucking revolves around a few key themes, often in tension: Diesel remains the dominant fuel due to its efficiency and infrastructure. Hydrogen holds promise as a potential replacement for long-haul trucking. Battery-powered trucks are suitable for smaller delivery jobs but struggle with larger vehicles like 18-wheelers. Meanwhile, electricity-powered drayage trucks are set to play a crucial role in upcoming shifts, particularly in California\u2019s ports.<\/p>\n

Propane has become a viable alternative fuel on the East Coast as of last week. The Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), part of the expansive Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, demonstrated its commitment by introducing a new fleet of propane-powered tractors. These tractors are designed to transport containers between containerships and intermodal trains, showcasing propane’s practical benefits in a high-traffic port environment.<\/p>\n

At the formal launch of PNCT\u2019s first propane-powered vehicles, advocates highlighted a compelling argument supported by recent data from the Energy Information Administration. The U.S. produces a significant amount of propane but is underutilizing this domestic resource, exporting much of it instead. By developing new applications, there is potential to leverage more of this propane within the country.<\/p>\n

The United States generated roughly 2.4 million barrels of propane per day on average in April, sourced from both field production and refining, according to the most recent monthly figures released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In the same time frame, 73,000 barrels of propane were imported and 1.678 million barrels were exported from the United States.<\/p>\n

On the contrary, field processing and refining in the United States manufactured about 1.2 million barrels of propane per day in April 2014. Since then, the fracking revolution has substantially increased the amount of propane in addition to natural gas and crude oil.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., propane is primarily used for home heating, especially in rural areas not connected to natural gas grids. Additionally, propane finds use in other sectors; for instance, Suburban Propane (NYSE: SPH), the supplier of propane for PNCT\u2019s intermodal carriers, serves markets that extend beyond rural home heating.<\/p>\n

Using propane as a fuel for petrochemical production is another significant application. Natural gas liquids, such as propane, ethane, and butane, which are necessary for petrochemical production, have increased dramatically in the United States. This has contributed to the said sector’s notable growth.<\/p>\n

The current export-import balance shows there’s plenty of U.S. propane available that could be used right here at home, like for trucking.<\/p>\n

At the event, several propane-powered food trucks were on hand, drawing a good crowd from the PNCT workforce who came by for a free lunch.<\/p>\n

Charlie Ferlisi, the port\u2019s Director of Engineering and Equipment Services, shared that PNCT now has 20 propane-powered tractors out of a total fleet of 45. According to him, the number will likely double towards the end of the year.<\/p>\n

The propane tractors were made by Mafi, a German firm with a major parts warehouse in Georgia.<\/p>\n

Ferris explained that part of his job is to get equipment manufacturers on board with the initiative. He also mentioned that Mafi is already fully supportive.<\/p>\n

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