The volatility of diesel prices has pushed many fleets to start looking at natural gas-powered trucks. To meet this growing need, Navistar will soon add Cummins-Westport CNG and LNG engines to its lineup. The OEM has also partnered with Clean Energy, which is building natural gas fueling stations from coast to coast. We spoke with the fuel provider about their aggressive infrastructure plans—and why this alternative fuel is gaining traction.

The following is an edited version of our conversation with Jim Harger, Clean Energy's chief marketing officer, and Don Horning, vice president of sales.

What's the one thing that truck owners should know about natural gas?

Harger: We've shown that natural gas can be a substitute for diesel based on the thousands of LNG tractors that we fuel daily at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Natural gas and diesel can do the same job, pull the same weight, and meet the same duty cycle. The technology works well. Now it's an issue of fueling [infrastructure]. And we're taking care of that by building America's Natural Gas Highway. Seventy stations will be in operation by the end of the year, which will allow trucks to run coast-to-coast and border-to-border. In 2013, we will complete another 80 stations. The combined investment is well over $200 million.

More than anything, truck owners should know that the economics of running natural gas are much more attractive than running a diesel truck. You'll spend about $1.50 less per gallon less than diesel and be within a few percent of the same fuel economy.

What makes natural gas the most viable alternative solution versus others that have been proposed, such as hybrid-electric vehicles?

Harger: For over-the-road and regional trucking, natural gas is more viable because our economics, resulting from fuel savings, are much stronger. The natural gas incremental cost is also less than other technologies [like hybrid-electric]—and natural gas doesn't impact the vehicle weight (gallon for gallon) as compared with the additional weight of batteries. When hybrids are running in a steady [diesel] state, the engine has to produce the same horsepower and torque as a traditional engine, so there is minimal fuel savings. But natural gas vehicles, whether operating in an urban environment or OTR, our engines burn a fuel that costs substantially less than diesel, resulting in attractive payback periods.

What's your response to those truck owners who might be jaded about all alternative fuel technology?

Harger: I would suggest that they keep their options open. Look at the capital investment being made by all the OEMs for natural gas. And look at the infrastructure we're building; our investment is more than $200M to build 150 fueling stations. A good comparison is to see how we changed the solid waste industry: We participated in the first deployment of natural gas trucks with Waste Management in 1997. Just recently, David Steiner, CEO of Waste Management, announced that 90% of all 2012 new purchases will be CNG. Republic Services, the nation's second largest solid waste company, are purchasing 65% CNG for 2012. That's a huge endorsement.

Horning: Natural gas is not a new technology. Clean Energy has sold billions of gallons of natural gas for transportation. It's relatively new for the Class 8 arena because not until 2007 did the OEMs begin offering a natural gas product direct from the factory.

How confident are you in achieving your goal of 150 fueling stations by next year?

Harger: We're very confident. Today, we have completed several stations and corridors so trucks can operate throughout the Texas Triangle, a good portion of the Southern Central Time Zone, Southwest and Southeastern U.S. By the end of the 3rd quarter you're going to be able to run [on natural gas] from Dallas to LA and from Dallas to Atlanta.

Horning: When you talk about infrastructure, fueling is the most important part; but the other part is the maintenance side. If you're a driver and you know you can get fuel everywhere, but you're not sure what happens if your truck breaks down, that's a concern. That's why Navistar is training their dealers as we speak, so they are ready to service natural gas vehicles.

Will these stations resemble what truck drivers know today?

Harger: The stations are cleaner because they're absent of diesel exhaust in the air. We dispense LNG at a similar rate to diesel—about 15 gallons per minute. The only real difference is you have to wear gloves and eye protection. Drivers will have many of the same amenities they have today because the majority of stations we are building are collocated at Pilot Flying J truck stops.

For more information on Clean Energy, visit: www.cleanenergyfuels.com.

The versatile International® TerraStar®, a Class 4/5 workhorse for applications ranging from pickup and delivery to landscaping to construction, has recently added new features to help it perform even better. Among the enhancements: A new 50-degree wheel cut that gives the truck a best-in-class turning radius, and a killer chrome package that draws attention in all the right ways.

With thousands on the road throughout North America, the TerraStar has already staked its claim as the work truck of choice for a multitude of operators in need of a true commercial duty solution that's also easy to drive and maintain. Throughout North America, businesses large and small have discovered that this strong and durable vehicle's 80,000 PSI frame rail and a 300-horsepower MaxxForce® 7 engine can handle almost any task. Add to that the truck's best-in-class visibility among conventional class trucks (38 percent better than the competition) and cab room (30 percent better), it's no surprise the truck has won plenty of fans.

But according to Randy Oetting, director, business development, Navistar, after speaking with customers and dealers, the one area that was identified for improvement was maneuverability. "Particularly those in the fire and rescue and city delivery categories communicated that a better turning radius would really help them out in the field," he says.

Navistar engineers were up for the challenge of making a well-received truck even better. Working with suppliers, they altered the cab mount, steering gear, and other minor components to extend the truck's wheel cut from 41 to 50 degrees. This resulted in a two-foot improvement to the turning radius—a real difference-maker when it comes to negotiating tight turns on job sites and along busy urban streets.

"We had been successful selling the TerraStar against [inherently maneuverable] cab-over products. The truck was already maneuverable," says Oetting. "But we were able to come up with a solution to make it better."

"We knew we already had the biggest and roomiest cab, the strongest frame rails, and the best visibility," he adds. "This just enhances the truck, and provides another best-in-class feature that responds directly to our customers' needs."

If the increased maneuverability brings even more substance to the TerraStar, the new Chrome Appearance Packages offer more style. Head-turning updates include a sparkling chrome grille, as well as chrome mirrors and headlight bezels. Plus, fender extensions and the modesty panel below the driver and passenger doors can now be painted the same color as the cab—with hundreds of pure color basecoat options to choose from—to provide a cleaner vehicle finish for those businesses seeking an ultra-premium look. All told, these aesthetic options are designed to help operators put forth a positive image in their communities and among their customers with the most powerful advertising they have: their trucks.

Rounding out the TerraStar enhancements is the availability of a 1350 series Allison transmission that increases the truck's Gross Combination Weight (GCW) to a backbreaking 30,000 pounds. "Now the truck can pull a trailer with some very serious weight," says Oetting.

The upgraded transmission translates into even more possibilities for applications like construction and landscaping that haul heavy loads in tight areas where they also need to turn on a dime. And even more opportunities will open up for additional off-road applications when the 4x4 version of the TerraStar is released in 2013, bringing yet another powerful option to what's become a true category-changing vehicle.

For more information on the TerraStar, visit: INSERT LINK

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With the help of the latest high-tech tools, Navistar is increasingly moving beyond physical models in favor of virtual design. Director of design and innovation David Allendorph explains how this shift is bringing many end-line benefits to the customer, the greatest of which is the ability to accelerate the design process and transform products from idea to reality faster than ever before.

Allendorph has been designing vehicles for more than 31 years—28 of those on behalf of Navistar. He remembers the day many years ago when the first personal computer entered the design lab and changed his job forever. He says that today's design technology is equally game changing. With the help of a tool known internally as the Power Wall, a massive 48-foot by 15-foot screen located in the engineering and design wing at Navistar's Lisle headquarters, product teams can explore vehicle concepts and ideas on a life-size scale without having to rely on physical models.

The high-resolution computer screen can zoom in on one component, or pull back to study the entire vehicle at even-bigger-than life size dimensions. "And we can do engineering and manufacturing reviews before we build anything, which accelerates the product development cycle, helps lower costs, and ultimately gets the product to market quicker," Allendorph says.

The design group is responsible for the visual organization of the vehicle, and the gamut of customer considerations that includes a potential buyer's emotional and visceral connection with a truck. One of the advantages the Power Wall brings to these artistic-minded craftsmen is the opportunity to delve into the look and feel of truck interiors and exteriors at a scale that best represents the end user experience.

"We're doing what the automotive and transportation design world is doing, maybe even more aggressively. Because we're smaller, nimbler and we have this great Lisle facility now that puts everything we need in one place."

Indeed, Navistar's new 87-acre campus has been a difference-maker when it comes to bringing more efficiency and innovation into product development. And while much of the company's current design process is led by digital technology, the campus also features an expansive clay shop where validation models are built. And nearby are labs dedicated to aerodynamics and ergonomics. By bringing Allendorph's design team together with engineers and experts in other areas, every facet of the truck-building process is being improved.

As an example, Allendorph points to the new International® LoadStar™, a severe service vehicle used mostly in the waste industry. After conducting a series of ridealongs with drivers, engineers and designers gathered real-world insights on driver behavior that they incorporated into the features of the final product. Like the truck's rear glass area, which was enlarged to minimize the need for drivers to crane their necks during their trash pick-ups—something Navistar representatives noticed while sitting with drivers during their routes.

"We found that many drivers were having neck injuries," he says. "So we designed something to prevent that from happening. It's our job to be the advocate for the customer, sometimes about things they don't even know they need." To further enable drivers with to see what's behind them along their routes, the LoadStar was also designed with rear-facing cameras.

Once the truck's design and key features were established, the product team utilized the Power Wall to build the truck virtually, ensuring that every hole lined up and every component fit properly. The goal: Find any issues before the LoadStar hit the assembly line. "[With the Power Wall] we can review things very early in the process," Allendorph notes. "It's a lot cheaper to fix things when you [first] build a truck virtually."

"We're trying to get our products to market quicker, faster and better," he continues. "If we can do that, the customer is going to be the benefactor."

As part of its goal to champion healthy behavior in the trucking community, Navistar has partnered with FusionHealth, a leader in integrated care management solutions. Earlier this year, the two organizations presented awards to the Healthy Trucking Driver and Healthy Trucking Fleet of the Year, a new effort designed to inspire fitness and good eating choices out on the road.

Allen Herndon, age 50, of Heartland Express was named Healthy Trucking Driver of the Year. The 20-year veteran behind the wheel attributes his good health to a daily regiment that often includes running, stationary biking in his cab, preparing his own meals, and getting quality sleep.

Herndon's advice to other drivers trying to get fit: Pick up a pair of sneakers and start walking. "I found walking was a great place to start," he says. The Chickasaw, Alabama resident recommends driving 500 miles and then walking one at a brisk pace for 15-20 minutes—followed by 10-minutes of slow walking. "Walk around your truck, around the parking lot, or around the block. If you need to, break the time into two walks to fit your schedule," he says.

As the award winner, Herndon received a $2,500 International Advantage credit card and a one-year membership to the Healthy Trucking Association of America (HTAA). He is also sharing his healthy lifestyle tips as a blogger for the International website "Life on the Road."

Additionally, the first-ever Healthy Trucking Fleet of the Year award was presented to Celadon Group, Inc., one of North America's largest truckload carriers. Despite its size—the company has more than 4,000 employees and annual revenue exceeding $550 million—Celadon's turnover rate is almost 50 percent less than the industry standard.

That employee satisfaction can be attributed, in part, to its wellness programs, which include an on-site, full-service health clinic that offers primary physician care, prescription services, workers compensation rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Their comprehensive Wellness Program also features health screenings, health seminars, diet and weight loss programs, nutritional and exercise programs, and incentives for healthy habits. "We have worked diligently to initiate innovative health practices recognizing the importance of health and well-being of our employees," said Paul Will, Celadon Vice Chairman, President and COO.

The Healthy Trucking Fleet of the Year award was scored on a set of criteria focusing on how the company's program integrates into its operations, how it targets the continuum of health care issues, tailors to population needs, includes high participation of employees and evaluates the results on clear definitions of success.

For winning the award, Celadon will receive a comprehensive FusionHealth® Health and Productivity Assessment™, a Worksite Health Station, and Healthy Driver Training Sessions conducted by FusionHealth Driver Care Teams. Other finalists included J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., Prime, Inc. and U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

"Drivers power the industry, and it can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle during long stints on the road," notes Chelle Pfiffner, Vice President of Strategic Employer Solutions at FusionHealth. "The program is meant to raise awareness of employer initiatives to support health among drivers and to recognize outstanding fleets leading those efforts. FusionHealth and Navistar believe the trucking industry can set the example for moving America forward to better health."

For more information, visit www.healthytruckingawards.com.

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