Walmart moves forward with natural gas trucking pilot

Walmart is continuing to incorporate sustainable fuels into its strategy to reach zero emissions across its global operations by 2040.

Walmart, which set its zero-emissions goal in 2020, is debuting the first North American 15-liter compressed natural gas engine that will be incorporated into the discount giant’s private Class 8 transportation fleet. The Cummins X15N engine is fueled by Chevron with compressed natural gas (CNG) linked to renewable natural gas.

The Walmart natural gas truck will make its inaugural trip from Indiana to California, refueling along the way at Chevron stations. The retailer will install five Cummins X15N engines in total across its transportation fleet.

In June 2022, Walmart said it would pilot natural gas, hydrogen, and electric truck engines as part of its corporate sustainability efforts. The company operates one of the largest fleets in the U.S., with 12,000 drivers, 10,000 tractors and 80,000 trailers driving 1.1 billion miles every year. The fleet accounted for approximately 24% of its Scope 1 emissions in 2020.

Walmart is s piloting solutions not only for its over-the-road (OTR) trucks, but also for refrigerated trailers (also known as reefers) and yard trucks (which move trailers around in the lots).

“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 VP of transportation at Walmart. “We are proud to team with Cummins and Chevron to develop industry-leading advancements that pave toward a lower carbon future.”

“Working with partners like Walmart to test new products like the X15N gives Cummins valuable real-world data that helps us validate our engines prior to moving into full production,” said Puneet Jhawar, GM – Spark Ignited Products for Cummins. “Chevron has also been very helpful in our test; to help increase CNG fuel availability that will enable adoption of alternate technologies faster.”

“Chevron is constantly pursuing solutions that drive progress toward a lower carbon future,” said Andy Walz, Chevron president of Americas Products. “Partnering with Walmart and Cummins on the road trip and demonstration can help us deliver that progress today for the transportation, the industry, and customers who rely on all of our products to advance a lower carbon economy.”

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart Inc. operates more than 10,500 stores and multiple e-commerce websites in 20 countries.