J.B. Hunt to test new truck powered by renewable natural gas

Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. will be the first company to participate in a program to test a new truck that runs on renewable natural gas. According to J.B. Hunt, the truck will be tested for two weeks in its operations in California.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp., the largest provider of renewable natural gas for the transportation industry, launched the program to allow fleets to operate the truck with a natural gas engine, according to a Monday (Sept. 16) news release.

The 2025 Peterbilt 579 day cab tractor includes a new 15-liter Cummins X15N natural gas engine. The truck will be available for fleets to test in their normal operations for up to two weeks. The truck can use Clean Energy’s fueling infrastructure of more than 600 stations across North America, 200 of which have public tractor-trailer access. According to the release, renewable natural gas is a biogenic fuel made from organic waste. It’s the cleanest commercial transportation fuel available and can cut emissions by up to 300% compared to diesel.

“We are honored to have our esteemed collaborators at J.B. Hunt kick off our X15N demo truck program,” said Andrew Littlefair, president and CEO of Clean Energy. “J.B. Hunt is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and trailing our new renewable natural gas truck will allow them to experience the engine’s impressive capabilities which can meet any demand and has the potential to decarbonize part of its operations.”

The release shows the new Cummins X15N engine can haul heavy loads for over 700 miles and provides power and torque similar to its diesel counterpart, the X15.

“As a solutions-driven industry leader, we are constantly exploring and testing opportunities that have the potential to deliver value for customers who are looking to reduce carbon emissions in their supply chain,” said Greer Woodruff, executive vice president of safety, sustainability and maintenance at J.B. Hunt. “We are excited to be the first carrier in Clean Energy’s pilot program and to get hands-on experience with the Cummins X15N tractor. Vehicles powered by renewable natural gas produce significantly less carbon emissions throughout their lifecycle and are more compatible with today’s available infrastructure than most competing emissions reduction technologies.”

For more than 15 years, J.B. Hunt has studied the economic and operational viability of natural gas-powered vehicles and their potential impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. J.B. Hunt operates more than 180 renewable natural gas-powered vehicles on behalf of customers.

Alternative-powered vehicles and the use of biogenic fuels are two critical components for the company to achieve its goal of reducing its carbon emissions intensity by 32% by 2034 from 2019 levels. In 2023, the company surpassed the halfway mark for reaching the goal.

Clean Energy’s X15N demo truck program is expected to run through at least 2025. Medium and large trucking companies in multiple states will operate the truck.