DfT publishes report on carbon saving options for Heavy Goods Vehicles
Thu 16 July 2009
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The Department for Transport has published a report, prepared by Ricardo, on the carbon saving potential of various technologies applicable to the HGV sector. The report was published on the same day as the Government's Plan for the Low Carbon Transition and the related transport strategy: 'A Greener Future for Transport'.
The report presents an analysis of a number of HGV technologies with carbon saving potential and evaluates these technologies in terms of CO2 benefits, technology costs, environmental costs arising from production of the technology, safety and other limitations, and the maturity of the technology within the market. The report then summarises which technologies are the most promising in terms of CO2 benefits when all these other factors are taken into consideration.
The report says that HGVs represent 24% and vans 12% of total UK road transport greenhouse gas emissions so are a significant area of concern.
The technologies reviewed are categorised into 'themes'. The 'vehicle theme' includes improving aerodynamics, reducing rolling resistance and driver behaviour. The 'powertrain theme' includes engine efficiency, waste heat recovery, alternative powertrains and transmission and the fuel theme identifies three different alternative fuel possibilities and three different ways of producing biodiesel.
The report concludes that aerodynamic trailers, electric bodies and vehicle platooning offer the most promising CO2 reduction potential in the 'vehicle theme'.
In terms of powertrain technologies electric vehicles, fuel cells and full hybrids are deemed to offer the greatest tailpipe CO2 potential but not without limitations.
Fuel technologies with the greatest potential life-cycle CO2 benefit are considered to be biogas, biofuels and hydrogen.
To download the full report, please follow the associated link.
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