What If the Power You Need Tomorrow Isn’t the Power You’re Using Today?

By Jenni Gritti Probst | Posted September 2nd, 2025

If you spec, run, or maintain Cat^®-powered machines, you already know the pressure is on. More regulations. More complexity. More demand for uptime, fuel efficiency, and sustainability, all without sacrificing performance. And yet, the questions keep coming.

"What’s the real tradeoff between diesel and hydrogen? "

"Can I run biofuels in my current engine?"

"Is there a smarter way to meet emissions without overhauling my fleet?"

" What’s next in engine tech, and how soon do I need to care?"

These aren’t just technical questions. They’re business-critical decisions. And the answers aren’t always obvious. That’s why our engineers have been digging deep into the future of power. Not just what’s possible, but what’s practical. Not just what’s new, but what’s next for real-world applications.

A Look Inside the Latest Thinking from Cat Engineers

Take renewable fuels. These fuels, made from sources like used cooking oil, animal fats, and vegetable oils, can help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle, even though tailpipe emissions remain essentially the same as traditional fuels. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels are chemically similar to diesel and can be used as drop-in replacements in many Cat engines. No conversions. No new maintenance intervals. Just fuel flexibility that supports your operational goals.

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Cat engine expert Kyle Bouska explores how Cat engines are preparing OEMs for the future or off-highway power in our Advanced Power Series, now on YouTube.

Or consider aftertreatment. Cat engines use combinations of diesel particulate filters (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR), and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) to meet emissions requirements across different regions and applications. These systems are calibrated to support specific duty cycles and regulatory standards and understanding how they work together can help you optimize performance and avoid costly missteps.

And then there’s the new generation of engines like the Cat® C13D. These engines are smaller, more powerful, and more efficient than ever. They’re designed to meet global emissions standards while delivering the reliability, serviceability, and total cost of ownership that customers expect from Caterpillar.

Your Local Cat Dealer Knows Your Equipment and Your Business

Navigating these changes doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Cat dealers are more than parts and service providers. They’re power experts who understand your industry, your applications, and your local regulations. Whether you’re exploring alternative fuels, upgrading your fleet, or just trying to make sense of what’s coming next, your dealer can help you find the right solution—and make sure it works for your business.

A Straightforward Look at What’s Next in Off-Highway Power

There’s no shortage of opinions about where power is headed. Some are helpful. Some are just noise. So, we asked one of our engineers to walk through what they’re actually working on: renewable fuels, hydrogen, and new engine platforms that are already starting to show up in real-world applications. And lucky for you, we caught it on camera.

If you’re sorting through what’s next for your equipment, your fleet, or your customers, our latest Advanced Power Series won’t give you all the answers. But it might help you ask better questions, which your Cat dealer is more than happy to answer.

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Jenni Gritti Probst

Contributor

Not one to walk away from the chance to tell a good tale, Jenni spends her days crafting and sharing stories of the people, products and services that make the world a better place. When she’s not working her dream job at Caterpillar, she’s usually outdoors hiking, exploring, and playing in the dirt.