Vehicle for road transport. The vehicle modeled is described by the US Census Bureau Vehicle Inventory Use Survey (VIUS) and US Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel efficiency and emissions data. The biogenic (non-fossil) fraction of fuel is determined by the 2012 EPA Renewable Fuel Standard, which specifies a renewable fuel content of 3.84% in 2012.

Variable parameters are: distance, utilization ratio, and sulphur content of fuel. Inputs: diesel and cargo. Outputs: cargo and combustion emissions (ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrous oxide (N2O), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), particulate matter (PM), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Truck production, end-of-life treatment of the truck and the fuel supply chain (emissions of exploration, refinery, transportation etc.) are not included in the data set.

It should be noted that the VIUS study performed in 2002 remains the most recent, reliable and detailed resource on truck fuel economy, utilization, capacity and weight.