Green trucks: transitioning the freight truck industry to low and zero emission fuel systems

The freight truck industry in Canada is the lifeblood of many communities throughout the country. These communities rely upon overland freight for everything from food to fuel. The continued operation of this industry is fundamentally dependent on the consumption of fossil fuels. This dependence leads to two challenges facing the freight industry: (1) fossil fuels are expensive, finite resources that are prone to dramatic surges in price; and, (2) the consumption and combustion of fossil fuels produces high levels of greenhouse gases and various other toxic, environmentally damaging emissions. This research uses studies on public acceptance of new technologies, technical specifications, legislation, and stakeholder perspectives to analyze alternatives to conventional freight fuels. I find that conventional fuels could be replaced by cleaner alternative fuels that would address the aforementioned challenges in a cost-effective manner.