More than 2.5 Million Clean Diesel Trucks on U.S. Highways

According to R.L. Polk and Company data more than 28 percent of all trucks registered in the U.S. are equipped with clean diesel engines, resulting in reduced emissions of nearly zero.

by Staff

July 10, 2013

3 min to read

More than 28 percent of all trucks registered in the U.S. – 2.5 million of 8.6 million trucks - are now equipped with advanced, new technology clean diesel engines, according to new data compiled by R.L. Polk and Company for the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF). The Polk data includes registration information on Class 3-8 trucks from 2007 through 2012 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Beginning in 2007, all heavy duty diesel trucks sold had to meet particulate emissions levels of 0.01 grams per brake horse-power hour (g/HP-hr) - a level near zero.

Regionally, the Midwest (31 percent) has the highest percent of new diesel trucks, followed by the South (29.8 percent), the Northeast (29.1 percent), and the West (26 percent).

New Diesel Trucks by Region

Region	Total Post-2007 Clean Diesel Trucks	Percent of All Trucks	Total Trucks in Region
Midwest	740,937	31.0%	2,388,950
Notheast	353,875	29.1%	1,216,036
South	935,425	29.8%	3,134,659
West	489,615	26.0%	1,882,208
Totals	2,519,852	28.6%	8,621,853

(Source: R.L. Polk and Company for the Diesel Technology Forum)

Midwest States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Northeast States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South States: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

West States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

New Technology Diesel Engines & Fuel Have Reduced NOx By 99% & PM By 98%

“Emissions from today’s diesel trucks and buses are near zero thanks to more efficient engines, more effective emissions control technology and the nationwide availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The new clean diesel technology has reduced emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 98 percent for particulate emissions.

“What makes the new diesel technology even more remarkable is model year 2010 and later trucks are experiencing an average of three to five percent improvement in fuel economy. Additional fuel-saving strategies are being developed to improve engine efficiency, vehicle aerodynamics and expanded application of hybrid technology.

“In addition, new diesel technology and ultra-low sulfur diesel are benefitting many of the older diesel trucks built before 2007. Through the use of retrofit upgrades, older diesel engines can improve their performance and reduce key emissions by up to 90 percent,” Schaeffer said.

Clean Diesel Truck Growth by Year

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Percentage New Diesel Trucks	9.4%	13.9%	16.9%	20.1%	24.1%	28.6%
Percentage Annual Increase	--	+4.5%	+3.0%	+3.2%	+4.0%	+4.5%

(Source: R.L. Polk and Company for the Diesel Technology Forum)

Top 10 New Technology Diesel Trucks States by 2012 Total

1) Texas	286,045
2) Indiana	169,509
3) California	168,965
4) Illinois	115,125
5) Pennsylvania	113,020
6) New York	97,073
7) Florida	91,67
8) Ohio	88,671
9) North Carolina	72,286
10) Georgia	71,136

Top 10 New Technology Diesel Trucks States by 2012 Percentage

1) Indiana	44.0%
2) Utah	43.0%
3) Oklahoma	37.0%
4) Wyoming	36.9%
5) Texas	36.6%
6) Nebraska	34.0%
7) Louisiana	33.1%
8) Maryland	32.9%
9) Pennsylvania	32.8%
10) Montana	32.7%

Topics:Greenhouse Gas Diesel Technology Forum Green Fleet

More Green Fleet

Rendering of electric vehicles charging beneath a solar-panel canopy, illustrating Inspiration Mobility Group’s acquisition of Electrada assets to expand commercial fleet electrification services.

Green Fleet•by News/Media Release•June 17, 2026

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets

Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.