Renewable Energies in the Fast Lane: How Hexagon Agility is Revolutionizing the Fleet Industry with RNG

In an insightful conversation with Alan Adler from the Truck Tech Podcast, Eric Bippus, the Executive Vice President of Hexagon Agility, discussed the critical factors and benefits of integrating renewable natural gas (RNG) into fleets. Hexagon Agility is known as a leading provider of natural gas solutions in the USA, and currently, over 100,000 commercial heavy-duty vehicles are equipped with their technology. A highlight was the introduction of a Kenworth T880 X15N Sleeper Truck, powered by Hexagon Agility's fuel systems and using RNG as an energy source. For those considering the switch to RNG, Bippus emphasized that understanding the refueling infrastructure and the specific adaptation of natural gas trucks compared to diesel vehicles is of essential importance. A feature of this pioneering truck, presented at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas, includes a comprehensively designed tank system with a capacity of 256 diesel gallon equivalents (DGE), which enables a remarkable range of over 1,200 miles. This range represents a significant advantage, particularly as it facilitates fleet operators in overcoming existing infrastructure gaps, which Bippus highlights as a major selling point of RNG compared to other clean fuel technologies. Through innovations and advancements in recent years, RNG has significantly closed the cost gap with diesel. Whereas the equation of return and price difference was once the main focus, it now forms a critical criterion for fleet operators aiming to deploy their technologies efficiently and profitably. Added to this is the increasing pressure from forthcoming environmental regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which have focused attention on the carbon intensity of the fuels used. RNG, sourced for instance from dairy farms, can exhibit a negatively weighted carbon output of up to 300%.