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(NewsUSA) - It takes nearly 7 million trucks and 20,000 locomotives to transport more than 9 billion tons of goods throughout the U.S. each year. Trucks carry about 66 percent of all freight shipped in the U.S., with rail transport shipping about 16 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
While the ground freight transport system is invaluable to businesses, the economy and consumers, it is not without costs. Moving freight accounts for 20 percent of all energy consumed in the transportation industry, according to the EPA. Truck and rail transport together consume more than 35 billion gallons of diesel fuel per year.
Some of that fuel is wasted by inefficiencies such as excessive idling and using trucks with poor aerodynamic design. The wasted fuel translates to wasted money for fuel transport companies and increased emissions into the environment.
However, there may be a solution. EMTA Holdings Inc., an energy conservation company, has created XenTx Extreme Engine Treatment. XenTx reduces overall friction and mechanical wear, resulting in greater fuel economy. XenTX also reduces emissions.
Mesilla Valley Transportation of Las Cruces, N.M., and El Paso, Texas, has been using the treatment and increased its fuel economy 5.1 percent in the first quarter, which will increase the company's savings by about $160,000 per month.
So far, the company has used XenTx engine treatment in 480 of its trucks, said Ernie Simmons, maintenance director for Mesilla Valley Transportation.
Burning fuel produces emissions of carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases create a "blanket" that prevents ultraviolet rays from leaving Earth's atmosphere, resulting in a "greenhouse" or warming effect, according to the EPA.
The greenhouse effect is a major contributor to global climate change. Consuming 35 billion gallons of diesel fuel produces more than 350 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.
Burning the fuel also produces nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to ozone formation, or "smog," and particulate matter - two air pollutants that have serious health and environmental impacts.
XenTx products are available at most major retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Kmart, AutoZone and Pep Boys. For more information, visit www.xentx.com.