Microsoft Word - Freight Project Methodology Draft - 2015-03-10.docx

The document outlines a technical framework for calculating fuel use across various truck types—including tractor-trailers, straight trucks, and cargo vans—using data from the Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) and the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS). It establishes baseline fuel economies (e.g., 5.8 mpg for tractor-trailers) and projects improvements by 2025 based on technology packages such as aerodynamic devices and hybrid-electric powertrains. Additionally, it applies these methodologies to estimate the current fuel use and future savings for the fleets of UPS, FedEx, PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, and Walmart.

• The analysis identifies specific fuel economy targets and payback periods for different vehicle types to determine technology feasibility: tractor-trailers were targeted for a two-year payback, while vocational and pick-up trucks were targeted for five years. Actual average paybacks achieved were 13 months for tractor-trailers, 47 months for vocational vehicles, and 35 months for pick-up trucks/vans.
• For sleeper cab tractor-trailers, the methodology assumes a baseline fuel economy of 5.8 mpg, with a potential increase to 11.4 mpg under strong standards. This represents an overall 46 percent improvement in fuel consumption, achievable through technologies such as waste heat recovery, automated manual transmissions, and low rolling-resistance tires.
• The fuel consumption of trucks is significantly impacted by cargo weight; data from Cummins, Inc. indicates that fuel economy decreases by 1.2 percent for every additional ton of goods transported.
• The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) is used to model domestic truck freight, but it is noted that the underlying Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) likely covers less than 75 percent of all annual freight tons in the U.S., primarily missing last-mile delivery and warehouse-to-retail movements.
• Fleet-specific estimates for UPS indicate a total technology cost differential of $1.20 billion to implement improvements, with a projected payback period of 30 months based on a 5 percent annual discount rate.
• Walmart's fleet has already achieved a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the EPA baseline, resulting in a fuel economy of 6.9 mpg through the use of aerodynamic tractors, auxiliary power units (APUs), and trailer skirts.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (n.d.). Microsoft Word - Freight Project Methodology Draft - 2015-03-10.docx. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/03/Engines-For-Change-Methodology.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Microsoft Word - Freight Project Methodology Draft - 2015-03-10.docx. n.d. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/03/Engines-For-Change-Methodology.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Microsoft Word - Freight Project Methodology Draft - 2015-03-10.docx |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/03/Engines-For-Change-Methodology.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientistsndmicrosoft, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Microsoft Word - Freight Project Methodology Draft - 2015-03-10.docx}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/03/Engines-For-Change-Methodology.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }