Walmart adds first-of-its-kind truck to fleet

Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., is reaching a new destination in its goal for a zero-emissions transportation fleet with the debut of the first of five 15-liter compressed natural gas engine that will be incorporated into Walmart’s private fleet. The X15N engine is supplied by Cummins and fueled by Chevron with compressed natural gas (CNG) linked to renewable natural gas. The Walmart truck will make its inaugural trip from Indiana to California, making pit stops along the way to refuel at Chevron stations. At the end of the road, it will be featured at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, Calif., on May 1-4. 

Last year, Walmart announced several initiatives among its Class 8 transportation fleet as the retailer pursues its goal to achieve zero emissions across global operations by 2040. 

“Walmart transportation is focused on the continuous piloting of solutions that aren’t just changing the industry, but are having a lasting impact on the world,” said Fernando Cortes, senior vice president of transportation at Walmart. 

While trucking has historically relied on diesel to fuel its engines, a move toward renewable natural gas is an important step toward lowering fleet emissions. Renewable natural gas is produced when biomethane from decomposing organic matter – such as cow manure or landfill waste – is captured, treated and processed into natural gas. Methane that is not captured and processed is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂) at trapping heat within the atmosphere leading to climate change.