Clean Energy to Launch New Freightliner X15N Demo Truck Program at ATA’s MCE in San Diego
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE), the largest provider of renewable natural gas (RNG) for the transportation industry, has announced the launch of its second heavy-duty truck demo program, featuring the 2026 Freightliner Cascadia Gen 5 day cab equipped with the Cummins X15N natural gas engine.
The new truck will be showcased at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition (ATA MCE) in San Diego from October 25–28, offering attendees an exclusive preview before the program launches with its debut fleet partner.
This new program builds on the success of Clean Energy’s first Peterbilt X15N demo truck program which was launched last year. The first demo truck has been praised by fleets who have operated it for the engine’s smooth handling through different terrains, impressive torque, per gallon savings running on RNG, and fuel efficiency, reinforcing the X15N’s potential to reshape the future of low-carbon heavy-duty trucking.
“Through one of the most tumultuous times in the history of the freight industry with evolving regulatory changes, impacts of tariffs, and overall economic uncertainty, the X15N/RNG solution has come out a clear winner for both carriers and shippers,” said Chad Lindholm, senior vice president at Clean Energy. “The Cummins X15N truly is a game-changer, providing equivalent power and torque as its diesel equivalent, yet allowing fleets to claim significant carbon and NOx emission reductions with a fuel that is priced at a big discount to diesel. The reason we have a waiting list to test our demo trucks is because despite regulatory easing, operators of fleets and their customers continue to want to have the cleanest trucks. Viable electric and fuel cell options are years and years from becoming an affordable reality. RNG is the only solution that is here today, affordable, and clean.”
Clean Energy’s demo truck program will give fleets across the country the opportunity to experience first-hand the capabilities of the Freightliner Cascadia Gen 5 equipped with the X15N. Participating carriers will be able to fuel at Clean Energy’s network of RNG stations nationwide, showcasing the ease of integrating low-carbon fueling into their own fleet operations.
The Cummins X15N engine is designed to run on RNG – a biogenic fuel derived from organic waste such as dairy manure. It offers a powerful, reliable, cleaner alternative to diesel, and fleets fueling with RNG can reduce emissions by more than 300 percent, achieving negative carbon-intensity results, while spending less per gallon of fuel.
The X15N is quickly earning a reputation for performance and sustainability with major carriers including Walmart, Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Werner, Knight Swift, Food Express, Cemex and Mullen Group having placed orders for the new engine.
The demo truck will travel through key freight corridors in California, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, and other states, allowing large and mid-sized fleets to try and test the engine’s capabilities in real-world conditions. The program is expected to run through 2028 or longer, as demand and interest continue to grow.
