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Low-Carbon Fuels

Understanding Fleet Vehicle Types

Explore different vehicle categories and their decarbonization potential across emissions, cost, and performance metrics

🚛Understanding Vehicle Categories

Fleet vehicles are typically categorized by weight and usage patterns: light-duty (under 6,000 lbs), medium-duty (6,001-14,000 lbs), and heavy-duty (over 14,000 lbs). Each category has different decarbonization strategies based on operational requirements, infrastructure availability, and technology maturity.

Light-duty vehicles like delivery vans and passenger cars are ideal candidates for full electrification due to their predictable routes and available charging infrastructure. Medium-duty vehicles such as box trucks and buses benefit from hybrid-electric systems that extend range while reducing emissions. Heavy-duty trucks and long-haul vehicles may require advanced technologies like hydrogen fuel cells for extended range requirements.

Key Decision Factors

Route length, daily mileage, payload requirements, charging access, and total cost of ownership all influence which decarbonization technology is best suited for each vehicle category.

📊Vehicle Type Comparison Matrix

Compare emissions, cost, and range by fuel type

Vehicle TypeDiesel/GasolineElectricHybridHydrogen
🚗
Light Duty
Delivery vans, passenger cars
250g CO₂/km
0g CO₂/km
⭐ Best
120g CO₂/km
0g CO₂/km
⭐ Best
🚛
Medium Duty
Box trucks, buses, utility vehicles
800g CO₂/km
0g CO₂/km
⭐ Best
400g CO₂/km
0g CO₂/km
⭐ Best
🚚
Heavy Duty
Semi-trucks, long-haul vehicles
2500g CO₂/km
0g CO₂/km
⭐ Best
1200g CO₂/km
0g CO₂/km
⭐ Best

🎯Fleet Optimization Scenarios

Mix different vehicle types for optimal results

Urban Delivery

50 vehicles
100km/day
Electrification
30%
Annual Emissions
237,500 kg CO₂

Regional Transport

25 vehicles
300km/day
Electrification
15%
Annual Emissions
412,500 kg CO₂

Long Haul

10 vehicles
800km/day
Electrification
5%
Annual Emissions
480,000 kg CO₂

Combined Fleet Impact

1,250,000 km
Annual Distance
237,500 kg CO₂
Total Emissions

Vehicle Categories & Decarbonization Strategies

🚗

Light Duty

Delivery vans, passenger cars

Full electrification priority - high utilization, urban routes

🚛

Medium Duty

Box trucks, buses, utility vehicles

Hybrid-electric transition - balance range and emissions reduction

🚚

Heavy Duty

Semi-trucks, long-haul vehicles

Hydrogen and advanced battery technologies - extended range needs