Adoption of LNG within the transportation industry is limited, but there are decided advantages to more widespread adoption by shippers and carriers, including:
• Reduced fuel cost
• Reduced price volatility based on use of a domestic fuel source
• Reduced carbon emissions
• Support growth of the North American natural gas industry and the attendant economic impact
Within the heavy industrial sector, trucking has unique characteristics that challenge LNG adoption. To determine the potential of LNG vehicle use for industrial freight, PLS Logistics surveyed senior executives at 100 industrial freight carriers in the first quarter of 2012. Most carriers surveyed had a fleet size of more than 50 power units.
The majority of survey respondents (76.1 percent) were either aware of LNG technology or were actively analyzing its use. However, no one surveyed is planning to purchase LNG vehicles in 2012.
