Higher Fuel Economy Working for Fleets: A Payback Analysis-Business Case from Higher Fuel Economy Standards in Trucks and Buses

August 2015

Higher fuel efficiency standards for trucks and buses now being considered by the federal government will save fleet-dependent businesses money – even when businesses must spend more up front to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. Put another way: there is a payback from proposed higher fuel economy rules, addressing a core fleet concern. The report is based on business case evaluations of projected vehicle purchase and operations across a wide variety of truck types and usage, using a Modified Life Cycle Cost (LCC) model validated by real-world fleet operators. While there were variations in the benefits seen from truck type to truck type and from truck use to truck use, the core results were clear: more aggressive fuel economy standards for trucks and buses will help fleet-based businesses’ bottom lines.