reducing the carbon footprint of road freight
TRANSCRIPT
Reducing the carbon footprint
of road freight
Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
12th June 2012
Jonathan Murray
Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
© LowCVP 2012
Low Carbon Vehicle
Partnership
Accelerating a
sustainable shift
to low carbon
vehicles and fuels
in the UK
Stimulating
opportunities for
UK businesses
UK is committed to reducing GHG emissions by 80% by
2050 compared to 1990
The overall goal:
80% GHG reduction below 1990 levels by 2050
Carbon budgets set interim targets
Surface transport will need to be ‘near zero’ GHG by 2050
Current policies focus on biofuels, cars and vans but won’t achieve CB4
target. Further action needed and focus is likely to include HGVs.
CB1 CB2 CB3 CB4
2008 2013 2018 2023 2028 2050
CB5
1990
77% 71%
65%
50%
20%
100%
Cost of fuel should result in customer demand
focusing on fuel efficiency
UK freight industry is
characterised by:
High fuel prices
High weights and volumes
Mixed urban and interurban
Fuel costs are a significant
element of the operating
costs of a haulage fleet.
This should ensure pressure
to drive fuel efficiency in
operation and in HDV
development.
Based on 40 tonne tractor – semitrailer combination
Source: IVECO
47% of trucks are operated in fleets of less than 10
vehicles
Small and medium sized fleets
play a vital role in haulage
industry providing local and
flexible transport sector. A major
part of the truck market.
Fleet operators lack confidence
in manufacturer claims, and
have expressed demand for
independent certification of
technologies.
Small and medium sized fleet
operators lack in-house
engineering expertise.
Haulage industry works on a
low profit margins resulting in
risk adverse approach to
procurement.
Source: ONS
Purchasing decisions of fleet operators don’t
necessarily deliver most fuel efficient vehicle fleet
Reliability and flexibility of
vehicles and trailers has a
greater impact on the
profitability of a HGV fleet than
fuel consumption.
Residual value can have a
significant impact on vehicle
specification also.
Fleet operators are focused on
the short term but purchasing
decisions now will have an
impact for at least a decade.
Public sector controlled fleets
are most in line with CO2
agenda but relatively small and
specialised.
There are a range of low carbon technologies which
can help reduce CO2 emissions to 2050
Source: Automotive Council
There are a range of low carbon HDV technologies
which have the potential to significantly reduce fuel
consumption in this decade
These technologies will be
commercially viable and deliver in excess on 2%
fuel consumption savings
Technologies delivered 2% fuel savings in the moderate scenario.
Source: Ricardo
But the majority of technologies do not provide a return on
investment sufficiently quickly to be considered by fleet
operators.
Will require intervention in order to be viable!
Technologies deliver in excess of 5% fuel savings in the challenging scenario. Source: Ricardo
The role for biomethane in HGVs
HGVs using gas can lead to lower costs
compared to operating on diesel.
The capacity of infrastructure has a
significant effect on the price of the fuel.
Injecting biomethane into the grid could
encourage the use of a natural gas and
biomethane mix as vehicle fuel.
Stakeholders gave the clear message that
stimulating a growth in refuelling
infrastructure would have the greatest
effect of all factors on take up of gas as a
transport fuel to enable out-based fleets to
refuel.
Natural gas refuelling
infrastructure is needed.
LowCVP recommendations v policy implementation
Certification of technologies
impact on fuel consumption
and CO2 emissions against
real world drive cycles.
Based on metric of fuel
consumed and work done.
Using computer simulation
supported by physical testing.
Customisable based on final
vehicle configuration and
customer drive cycle.
Demonstration of low carbon
technology.
Introduce incentives to
encourage low carbon HGVs.
EU Policy
EU developing methodology
for measurement of fuel
consumption and CO2 for trial
with VMs in 2013.
Based on metric based on fuel
consumed and work done.
Using computer simulation.
?
UK Policy
Low Carbon Truck
Programme launched.
HGV Task Force advising DfT
on options, particularly
focused on local authorities.
Conclusions
There are a range of low carbon technologies which could
significantly reduce the carbon footprint of freight both in the
short and longer term.
To achieve the governments targets as set out in the Carbon
Plan will require incentives for more aggressive low carbon
technologies.
Europe is developing a certification process for low carbon
heavy duty vehicles, this needs to be extended to include
bodies, trailers and dealer fitted options.
The Low Carbon Truck Programme is a good first step in raising
awareness of low carbon technologies but a clear direction from
government is needed particularly with regard to alternative
fuels.
Thank You!
+44 (0)20 3178 7859
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership
www.lowcvp.org.uk
© LowCVP 2012