Class 8 Natural Gas Truck Retail Sales Up 29% YTD 2020 through February, but Amid COVID-19 Forecasts Are Being Cut

ACT Research to cut not only the total Class 8 forecast, but also the Class 8 natural gas unit sales

US and Canadian Class 8 Natural Gas truck retail sales for the first two months of 2020 gained 29% year-to-date over 2019, as published in the quarterly report (AFQ: Alternative Fuels Quarterly) just released by ACT Research.

“Sales of natural gas-powered vehicles as reported by the six major truck OEMs, who account for approximately 60% of the heavy-duty natural gas market, were mixed in the December 2019 through February 2020 time period,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “Through the first two months of 2020, reporting manufacturers of natural gas-powered Class 8 units rose 29% year-to-date compared to the first two months of sales in 2019. For comparison, total US Class 8 sales were down 23% for the same period.”

Tam added, “Previously, the 2020 natural gas market was expected to decrease on a unit basis, but increase penetration due to a shrinking Class 8 market. However, COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on both the economy and the commercial vehicle market, leading ACT to cut not only the total Class 8 forecast, but also the Class 8 natural gas unit sales, as well.”

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