Fossil-fuel consumption in land freight is over 19%. Alternative fuel trucks (AFTs) help decrease greenhouse gas emissions. However, AFT preferences in international land transit have received little attention due to passing through various countries with different financial and regulation plans. This variety affects AFTs’ market share. This study analyzes factors influencing AFT preferences in international land transit. A questionnaire (designed in four sections) was distributed among international transport companies in Iran and Europe. A principal component analysis helped extract principal components composed of cognitive, environmental, policy, practical, and economic variables. The multinomial logit models include 26 meaningful variables. The marginal effect analysis shows that the service quality of the manufacturer, importance of greenhouse gas mitigation, and social responsibility do not significantly elevate AFT preferences. In addition, cargo type influences AFT choice. The results of this study help to identify the barriers affecting AFTs’ market share, which can positively impact air pollution.

Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel engines in land freight transportation are considerable. Alternative fuel trucks help decrease emissions. Previous studies have generally focused on the alternative fuel truck preferences in domestic land freight. External land transit has received little attention due to passing through various countries with different financial, policy, regulation, and incentive plans. This variety can affect international transport companies’ alternative fuel truck preferences and, consequently, the market share. To make external land transit more sustainable, factors (cognitive, economic, environmental, policy, and practical) influencing alternative fuel truck preferences of the international transport companies are analyzed in this study. A questionnaire was distributed among 684 international transport companies in 20 countries to gather data on their background information; their alternative-fuel choice; their level of agreement with Cognitive, Environmental, and Policy factors; and importance degree of practical, economic, and some other policy factors in adopting alternative fuel trucks. Principal components analysis helped extract 11 principal components composed of cognitive, environmental, policy, practical, and economic variables. The two multinomial logit models include 26 influential variables. The importance of greenhouse gas mitigation, low noise pollution, and social responsibility do not significantly elevate emission-free trucks preferences. The marginal effect of the service quality of the manufacturer (with a twelve percent decrease in choice probability) shows manufacturers should improve the quality of their services. It is also noteworthy that cargo type influences alternative fuel truck choice. Results of this study can help to identify the factors, policies, and regulations which may affect and increase the market share of alternative fuel trucks.