A report, prepared by Ricardo, has been published by the UK Department for Transport outlining the potential of various technologies in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
It analyses a number of HGV technologies with carbon saving potential as well as evaluating these technologies in terms of CO2 benefits, environmental costs arising from production, safety, limitations, and technology costs. It then summarises which technologies are the most promising in terms of CO2 benefits with all these additional issues factored in.
Under the powertrain theme it identified four main areas - engine efficiency, waste heat recovery, alternative powertrains and transmissions. Engine efficiency too is divided into four categories - combustion systems, engine accessories, friction reduction and gas exchange.
Under the fuel theme it analysed three alternative fuels - CNG, biogas and hydrogen; and three different biofuels for diesel engines - biodiesel, biomass-to-liquids and hydrogenated vegetable oil.
The results of its analysis showed that aerodynamic trailers, electric bodies and vehicle platooning may have the greatest CO2 reduction potential. It also found that for powertrain technologies, electric vehicles and full hybrids offer the best potential in the near term. In the medium term, fuel cells become an option as well as stop/start hybrid systems and heat exchanges; while in the long term, fuel cells have good CO2 reduction potential.
In terms of fuels, first generation biofuels and biogas offer the greatest CO2 benefits in the near-term; while in the medium term BLT, HVO, hydrogen and CNG come into their own, with CNG offering the lowest CO2 reduction.
The report also suggested seven technologies be reviewed as potential indicative guides for CO2 benefit due to their limited fields of application and narrow benefit ranges. These are: aerodynamic trailers; electric vehicle bodies; air compressor for HD applications; mechanical turbo-compound for HD applications; electric vehicles; CNG if in a dedicated CNG engine; and fuel cells.
Follow this link to read the report in full.
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