The trucking industry is closely tied to the global economy, with 72% of goods transported in the U.S. being transported over long distances. However, diesel, the essential fuel for the trucking industry, is costly, pollutes the environment, and endangers the health of truck drivers, so moving away from diesel trucks and towards zero-emission trucks is a great way to ensure a sustainable future.
Diesel’s big environmental impact
Particulate matter emitted from diesel causes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in people who are constantly exposed to it, and it is especially deadly for truck drivers. To put diesel’s impact on the environment into perspective, heavy-duty trucks make up a small percentage of vehicles on the road – 6% – but their impact on the environment is by no means small, accounting for 26% of greenhouse gas emissions and 55% of particle pollution.
Announcement from the American Trucking Associations
According to the American Trucking Associations, there are 3.5 million registered truck drivers in the U.S., and the nature of their work requires them to work long hours, be mentally exhausted, and have high rates of obesity and asthma.
