Diesel is going to remain the “dominant” growth fuel in transportation on earth for several decades to come, according to U.S. and international energy and transportation experts.

ExxonMobil estimates that diesel will surpass  natural gas as the number one global transportation fuel by 2020. Diesel demand will account for 70 percent of the growth in demand for all transportation fuels through the forecast period to 2040.

Although natural gas will play a greater role as a transportation fuel by 2040, it will remain only a small share of the global transportation fuel mix, at 4 percent by 2040, up from today’s 1 percent

The World Energy Outlook estimates that diesel fuel will remain the dominant growth fuel between now and 2035, according to the International Energy Agency. Globally, the report suggests the possibility of only a two percent share of natural gas in the heavy-duty transport market by 2035.

The National Petroleum Council in its 2012 report “Advancing Technology for America’s Transportation Future” for the U.S. Department of Energy stated: “Diesel engines will remain the powertrain of choice for HD (heavy duty) vehicles for decades to come because of their power and efficiency.”

Topics such as these and more will be showcased at the 2013 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo at the Washington Convention Center from June 24-27 by the Diesel Technology Forum.