Truck Efficiency and GHG Reduction Opportunities in the Canadian Truck Fleet

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes opportunities to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Canadian Class-8 truck fleet through the adoption of aerodynamic retrofits, low rolling-resistance tires, and auxiliary power units (APUs). It argues that government leadership, technical guidance, and financial incentives are necessary to overcome industry inertia and the fuel-efficiency losses caused by emissions regulations.

• If the entire Canadian fleet of 294,000 Class-8 trucks adopted a 'full package' of energy-efficiency technologies, it would result in annual savings of 4.1 billion litres of fuel and a reduction of 11,500,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, which is equivalent to removing 64,000 Class-8 trucks or 2.6 million cars from the road.
• A more conservative 'simple package'—consisting of side skirts, fuel-efficient dual tires, and diesel-electric APUs—implemented on 50% of the Canadian fleet (147,000 trucks) would save 1.2 billion litres of diesel fuel and reduce GHG emissions by 3,400,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to removing 19,000 Class-8 trucks or 800,000 cars from the road.
• Emissions regulations from 2002 and 2007 by Environment Canada and the U.S. EPA led to engine changes, such as cooled exhaust gas recirculation (Cooled EGR) systems, which can decrease fuel economy by 3–8% and increase GHG emissions.
• Aerodynamic improvements to the trailer offer significant potential for fuel savings, as more than 60% of total aerodynamic drag in a tractor-trailer unit is caused by the trailer. Combining gap fairings, side skirts, and rear drag devices (base flaps) can deliver a potential fuel savings of approximately 12% during highway operation.
• Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) significantly reduce fuel use by eliminating the need to idle the primary engine for driver comfort. Battery-electric APUs are the most efficient, offering 92% fuel savings compared to idling a primary engine, while diesel-electric APUs offer 80% savings.
• Government intervention is critical for industry adoption of efficiency technologies. For example, a Natural Resources Canada rebate of up to 19% of retail cost led to the purchase of 13,280 idling-reduction devices, resulting in an estimated annual savings of 186,000 tonnes of GHG.

APA

Ogburn, M. J., & Ramroth, L. A. (n.d.). Truck Efficiency and GHG Reduction Opportunities in the Canadian Truck Fleet. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Truck-Efficiency-and-GHG-Reduction-Opportuniities-in-the-Canadian-Truck-Fleet.pdf

Chicago

Ogburn, Michael J., and Laurie A. Ramroth. Truck Efficiency and GHG Reduction Opportunities in the Canadian Truck Fleet. RMI, n.d. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Truck-Efficiency-and-GHG-Reduction-Opportuniities-in-the-Canadian-Truck-Fleet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ogburn |first1=Michael J. |last2=Ramroth |first2=Laurie A. |title=Truck Efficiency and GHG Reduction Opportunities in the Canadian Truck Fleet |publisher=RMI |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Truck-Efficiency-and-GHG-Reduction-Opportuniities-in-the-Canadian-Truck-Fleet.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ogburnndtruck, author = {Ogburn, Michael J. and Ramroth, Laurie A.}, title = {{Truck Efficiency and GHG Reduction Opportunities in the Canadian Truck Fleet}}, institution = {RMI}, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Truck-Efficiency-and-GHG-Reduction-Opportuniities-in-the-Canadian-Truck-Fleet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }