Propane-powered equipment reduces emissions without sacrificing performance.
Propane Port Tractors Make Yard Decarbonization Seamless
Cost, overall emissions, and fueling beat electric models
A port tractor goes by many names—terminal tractor, shag truck, shunt truck, yard truck and yard goat are just a few of them. No matter the name, a port tractor is the workhorse of both seaports and inland ports, moving cargo containers quickly and efficiently to keep pace with the demands of commerce. Traditionally, these workhorse vehicles have been diesel powered, meaning thick, smelly emissions cloud the air at ports with dozens—or even hundreds—of tractors often operating around the clock.
In recent years, many ports have turned to electric equipment to meet environmental regulations. But propane reduces harmful emissions—including sulfur oxide (SOx)—at a better price point. Propane has the ability to transform ports with advantages that other energy sources, like diesel and electric, can't deliver. In fact, propane equipment delivers a low total cost-of-ownership with reduced equipment, maintenance and infrastructure costs.
Lower Carbon Intensity Than Electric
While it’s true there is no tailpipe on an electric port tractor, consider that the electricity that powers it has to be generated, more often than not by a coal- or natural gas-fired plant. But that’s not all: the electricity also has to be moved across the electrical grid, sometimes over great distances, transformed on-site into usable energy and then consumed. The numbers tell the story when it comes to port decarbonization. The national average for carbon intensity of the electrical grid is 131. Conversely, the national average for carbon intensity of conventionally produced propane is just 79. With the onset of renewable propane, or propane made from sustainable sources like cooking oils and wood waste, that carbon intensity drops to about 20.
Emissions Beat Diesel and Electric
Without question, propane port tractors dramatically reduce emissions at ports compared with diesel models. According to a recent study released from the Propane Education & Research Council and the Port Newark Container Terminal, a propane port tractor yielded 99% fewer nitrogen oxide (NOx) composite and idle emissions than diesel. Additionally, a propane port tractor produced 77% fewer THC idle emissions, 14% fewer brake-specific carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 75% fewer TPM emissions, compared to diesel. And like electric models, propane port tractors produce virtually zero particulate emissions.
Cost and Fueling are Manageable
Equipment costs are a major consideration too. A new propane port tractor can cost as little as $175,000, while the total cost of an electric model nears $400,000 factoring in charging and related infrastructure costs. Propane fueling infrastructure can be built on-site for minimal cost with a fuel contract that locks in price. It takes about 10 minutes to fuel a propane port tractor; electric models can take more than an hour to charge up to 70% capacity.
Compared to electric port tractors, propane models cost substantially less, are easy to fuel, and, when considering the entire emissions equation, are simply cleaner.
Learn more about propane port tractors today.
