The impact of hybrid engines on fuel consumption and emissions of heavy-duty trucks

Frans Bal, Jaap Vleugel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
47 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Overland transport of goods mainly goes by road. Road freight transport, trucking in particular, has a large share in the energy consumption, CO2-emissions and air pollution by human activities. This will become an even bigger issue with the expected massive growth of road freight transport.
Climate change mitigation asks for a major reduction of CO2-emissions from human origin. Improvement of air quality is a second reason why trucking companies have to look for alternative engine-fuel configurations: Biodiesel, gas and electricity. The paper answers two research questions:
1.New truck technologies are under way, what impact could these have on fuel consumption and emissions related with the fuel consumption of trucks?
2.How realistic is large-scale introduction of these new technologies before the year 2030?
A model was used to estimate the emissions of CO2, NOx and PM10 of a truck transporting goods along a pre-defined route consisting of city roads and highways. The volumes and composition of the emissions vary depending on the data entered by the user: Route/distance, fuel efficiency/consumption, emission factors and engine-fuel configuration. The model was used for a micro-simulation, but an extension towards a macro-simulation model is feasible. This would allow to estimate the impact on fuel consumption and emissions for a fleet of trucks. The model indicates that the main benefit of an alternative like biodiesel lies in the reduction of PM10-emissions. Electric trucking is necessary to drastically reduce CO2-emissions and air pollution.
In a few years from now hybrid diesel-electric trucks will become common. Full-electric trucks energized by internal (hydrogen in fuel cells) and/or external (trolley-like, high density batteries) sources are feasible well before the year 2030. Electric trucking means a drastic change in the use of fuels with implications for the electricity grid as well.

Keywords: Energy consumption, emissions, heavy-duty trucks, environment, conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnergy and Sustainability VII
EditorsCA Brebbia, J Sendra
Place of PublicationSouthampton
PublisherWIT Press
Pages203-212
Volume224
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-78466-222-6
ISBN (Print)978-1-78466-221-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2017
Event7th International Conference on Energy and Sustainability - Seville, Spain
Duration: 20 Sept 201722 Sept 2017
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2017/energy-and-sustainability-2017

Publication series

NameWIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment
PublisherWIT Press
Volume224

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on Energy and Sustainability
Abbreviated titleESUS 2017
Country/TerritorySpain
CitySeville
Period20/09/1722/09/17
Internet address

Keywords

  • Energy consumption
  • emissions
  • conditions
  • environment
  • heavy-duty trucks

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  • Electric cars as buffers in an electricity network

    Vleugel, J. & Bal, F., 8 Jun 2016, Environmental Impact 2016. Brebbia, C. & Miralles i Garcia, J. (eds.). 2016 ed. Ashurst: WIT Press, Vol. 203. p. 1 20 p. 1. (WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment; vol. 203).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeChapterScientific

    Open Access
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  • Cleaner fuels to reduce emissions of CO2, NOx and PM10 by container ships: A solution or a box of Pandora?

    Vleugel, JM. & Bal, F., 2015, Proceedings of the 4th international conference on management of natural resources, sustainable development and ecological hazards. Brebbia, CA. (ed.). Southampton: WIT Press, p. 212-223 12 p. (WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment; vol. 199).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

  • Cleaner air in seaport container terminals: Assessing fuel(s)

    Vleugel, JM. & Bal, F., 2014, Environmental impact II: 2nd international conference on environmental and economic impact on sustainable development incorporating environmental economics, toxicology and brownfields. Passerini, G. & Brebbia, CA. (eds.). Southampton: WIT Press, p. 25-36 12 p. (WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment; vol. 181).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeConference contributionScientificpeer-review

    Open Access
    2 Citations (Scopus)

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