The trucking industry has taken the blame for a lot of environmental evils in recent years. The truth of the matter is the industry is at the forefront of ‘green’ innovations. Check out these recent developments:
Green Management Guide from THRSC-Atlantic
The Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic has developed a guide for improving energy-efficiency, competitiveness and reducing emissions. The guide provides information and resources to help your organization have the greatest effect on the environment and your bottom line.
Contents:
• Energy Efficiency Factors
• 7 Steps to Energy Efficiency
• Resources for Industry
• A Broader Scope
• Making the Case
• Conclusion and Glossary
To view the guide, visit http://thrsc.com/green-management-guide.
NACFE: Fuel-efficient technology saves fleets big dollars
Seventeen green-conscious fleets across the US and Canada – operating more than 62,000 combined tractors and 217,000 trailers – save more fuel than the national average, reporting a 3% jump in fuel economy, according to the Annual Fleet Fuel Study released by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) in August 2016.
NACFE’s study shows that the 17 fleets studied saved an accumulative $501 million on fuel when compared to the 2015 national average fuel spend of 1.7 million over-the-road class 8 trucks by purchasing a number of fuel-efficient technologies. NACFE says the fleets adopted a combination of nearly 70 technologies, and the fleet-wide mpg increased from 6.87 to 7.06 in 2015 – the largest margin of improvement in eight years of consecutive improvements.
New technologies adopted by the fleets included electronically controlled transmissions, low-viscosity engine oil, and tire pressure inflation on trailers. NACFE said these technologies are showing an average ROI of 2.5 years. “Improvements in both the fuel economy and bottom lines of leading fleets this year provide a compelling call to action for the rest of the industry,” said Mike Roeth, operation lead for CWR’s Trucking Efficiency and executive director of NACFE. “Investing in efficiency technologies is the new normal. These fleets are continuing to make investments because they don’t want to be caught short when fuel prices go up again.”
NACFE said the trade cycle for the fleets in the study is more than five years; therefore it estimated the trucks in the study were about 16% more efficient than the 2010 model year trucks they replaced.
Roeth added that fleets in the study were also increasing their use of technologies that would be required in the new GHG2 regulations that were released earlier this month.
“There is clearly a need to increase the confidence in and/or payback of many of these technologies for wider-scale use,” Roeth said. “Manufacturers must improve the availability and payback of these technologies to profitably meet the requirements of the final GHG2 regulations.”
To see the full study, visit: www.truckingefficiency.org/annual-fleet–studies.
Source: Canadian Trucking Alliance
Volvo Trucks: electric trucks are viable in North America
Volvo Trucks will start selling electric trucks in Europe in 2019, and the first units will be put into operation with select customers in 2018. Electric trucks drastically reduce noise and exhaust emissions and create new opportunities to manage logistics. More transport assignments can be carried out at night, resulting in fewer trucks competing for road space during rush hour. Work toward commercialization of electric trucks in North America is ongoing as advancements in battery technology accelerate viability for North American duty cycles and energy demands for a broad range of applications.
“Electromobility is fully in line with Volvo Trucks’ long-term commitment to sustainable urban development and zero emissions,” said Göran Nyberg, President of Volvo Trucks North America. “By using electrically powered and quieter trucks for goods transport in urban areas, we meet several challenges simultaneously. Without disturbing noise and exhaust gases, it will be possible to operate in more sensitive city centres. Transport may also take place throughout less busy periods, for example in late evening and at night. This will reduce the burden on the roads during daytime rush-hour traffic, allowing both the road network and vehicles to be utilized far more effectively than today.”
“Urban distribution and other pick-up and delivery applications are a starting point for battery-powered electric trucks, but we envision broader deployment of electric trucks for freight movement in North America as technologies and the market mature,” said Nyberg.
To improve the quality of life in cities, more sustainable transport solutions must be adopted. With well-developed logistics and more effective utilization of roads in the evenings and at night, it’s also possible for many smaller vehicles to be replaced by fewer but larger vehicles, thus further contributing to lower emissions and less traffic. For example, distribution trucks have just over 10 times the load capacity of a regular van. If a larger proportion of transport assignments could be carried out during hours when fewer people are on the road, this will also significantly reduce accident risks.
Peterbilt takes pride in Eco initiatives
Peterbilt takes pride in its history of innovation and purposeful design. As a global citizen, Peterbilt recognizes its responsibility and continually strives to reduce the environmental impact of the work it does and the products it creates.
From the earliest stages of product design through manufacturing and recycling, Peterbilt is committed to keeping its activities and its products environmentally sound. Each aspect of the design cycle provides significant challenges, but through dedication and cooperation, its efforts have resulted in impressive results.
Peterbilt Motors Company’s manufacturing facilities are all ISO 14001 certified. All facilities have aggressive targets for continuous reduction of air emissions, packaging waste, waste solvent, hazardous waste, energy-use and landfill disposal.
There is a natural synergy between ISO 14001 and Peterbilt’s corporate focus. Both management and employees maintain a company-wide philosophy that ensures Peterbilt continues to promote recycling and reduce pollution and waste.
Peterbilt takes a holistic view of recycling and waste reduction. It has programs in all of its locations in North America to facilitate the recycling of materials, diverting thousands of pounds of waste from landfills.
Freightliner Cascadia = fuel efficiency
The math is simple: the less you spend on fuel, the more money you make. When your fleet is traveling hundreds of thousands of miles every year, every gallon of fuel is significant to your bottom line. Even a small truck adjustment can make a huge difference
at the pump.
Using the only OEM-owned, full-scale wind tunnel in North America for class-8 trucks, Freightliner engineers study how their models cut through the wind and constantly devise improvements to the vehicle’s aerodynamics. In addition to the Freightliner team working to make their trucks more aerodynamic, engineers are designing engines, transmissions and axles to work together as one Integrated Detroit™ Powertrain and reduce fuel consumption.
As a result of Freightliner’s commitment to increasing its vehicle’s fuel economy, the Cascadia® Evolution achieves up to 7% better fuel economy than the company’s first-generation EPA 2010-compliant Cascadia model.
Through world-class design and advanced aerodynamics, Freightliner trucks are some of the most fuel-efficient heavy-duty vehicles in the trucking industry. Engineering and producing more fuel-efficient trucks makes hauling freight more sustainable and helps customers lower the cost of doing business.
The new Cascadia is an excellent example of Freightliner’s steadfast dedication to producing one of the most fuel-efficient class-8 trucks on the road today. The new Cascadia’s AeroX package of aerodynamic enhancements includes an aero bumper, a bumper-mounted air dam, redesigned hood and grille, airflow-deflecting mirrors, upper door seals, full chassis fairings with 4" ground-clearance skirts, wheel covers, drive-wheel fairings and 24" side extenders.
Fuel efficiency was the primary motivation for improving on the previous Cascadia, and though engineering and design impacted many other facets of the truck, the ultimate goal of increasing fuel efficiency by 8% was achieved in the new model.*
* Based on Model Year 2016 Cascadia Evolution with an Integrated Detroit™ Powertrain (IDP) including a GHG14 DD15® engine, DT12™ automated manual transmission, Intelligent Powertrain Management (IPM) and 2.41 direct drive axle ratio.
Sustainability is familiar ground at Michelin
Michelin has cared about sustainability since before standards were imposed on the industry. As early as 1946, with the introduction of the radial tire (now the most common tire), Michelin reduced the rolling resistance of tires by 30%. In 1992, the company reduced it by another 20% with the addition of the Silica technology
Rolling resistance is the main challenge for tire makers since it’s intrinsic to the product: an object that rolls creates friction and therefore the engine has to work harder. The quality of the tire determines the fuel efficiency against that friction force.
In 2012, the MICHELIN® ENERGY™ E-V was made available for electric cars to increase their autonomy. Michelin is currently working on its fifth generation of green tires. It aims to improve fuel economy by at least 2% and also reduced CO2 emissions with each successive generation.
Since 2005, Michelin has reduced the emissions impact of its facilities by 33%. All of its facilities are monitored and optimized to use less energy. Some of them use solar panels, wind power and local alternative methods to get energy, preserving air quality.
In the area of recycling, Michelin’s used tires can be 100% recovered, either as energy or raw material. They are reused as filling material, soundproof walls, railroad ties, drainage solutions and synthetic surfaces for sports fields and playgrounds.
Cummins positioned for growth and leadership in new, emerging technologies
Cummins Inc. is positioned to lead in current and future technologies, including its core business, electrification, as well as alternative fuels and power solutions.
Core business
Cummins continues to focus on its core business segments – engine, power systems, components and its distribution business. Examples of success in this area include products like the company’s largest engine platform to date, the QSK95; the latest X15 engines, which offer class-leading fuel economy and maintenance costs, leveraging proprietary components technology like the innovative single module aftertreatment, which is 60% smaller and 40% lighter.
Electrification
Cummins enhanced its efforts to commercialize its electrification capabilities, bringing together Cummins knowledge and significant experience in the electrified powertrain space. As well, it is exploring potentially partnering with others to ensure development of leading technology in energy storage, power electronics, traction motor systems and component control for commercial applications. Cummins will begin electrified powertrain delivery in 2019, including battery electric and plug-in hybrids. These are just the first steps as the company signals its intention to be the leading provider of electrified powertrains in the commercial and industrial markets.
Alternative fuels and power solutions
Cummins delivers zero emissions natural gas engine systems that are a great fit for urban areas addressing air quality issues and requirements. Natural gas engine technology can have a very low carbon footprint and can even be considered carbon negative when paired with renewable natural gas. Today’s natural gas engines and fuel systems are better than ever, vehicles have a much longer range, maintenance is improved, and fueling station availability has expanded – all of which lead to significantly improved uptime and total cost of ownership for fleets.
And Cummins has invested in R&D projects to build capability to develop products utilizing a wide range of fuels. The company is developing high efficiency gasoline technology that can deliver diesel-like performance and durability, meeting the most stringent emission requirements while maintaining competitive fuel economy.
Longer term, Cummins continues to investigate the viability of alternatives like bio-fuels, synthetic fuels and hydrogen. Cummins has also invested in exploratory projects focused on Proton Exchange Membrane and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technologies – both with increasing potential to offer superior power density over the traditional internal combustion engine.
Thermo King offers solutions to reduce GHGs in transport refrigeration
Thermo King will offer an option for its truck and trailer products that will help lower the greenhouse gas footprint for North America customers.
This solution is now an option due to the US EPA’s recent Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) approval of the next generation refrigerant, R-452A which has a nearly 50% lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to refrigerants that are currently being used today for transport applications.
All of Thermo King’s truck and trailer products using R-452A are a part of Ingersoll Rand’s EcoWise™ portfolio of products that are designed to lower environmental impact with next generation, low GWP refrigerants and high efficiency operation.
“Our customers demand maximum reliability, uptime and total cost of ownership, and I’m confident that our products using this next generation of refrigerant will continue to deliver on our brand promise. Our European truck and trailer products have been using R-452A since 2015, and we’ve seen its benefits from precise temperature control and efficiency to preserving the overall residual value for customers,” said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King.
“Offering our customers a choice of sustainable products and innovations is critical especially as environmental regulations increase globally. I’m proud of our company’s commitment to sustainability, and I’m proud of Thermo King’s continued leadership position in delivering the best in overall transport refrigeration solutions,” said Pittard.
Thermo King will continue to offer its transport customers its current line of transport refrigeration products, and ensure that optimum levels of service are offered throughout the products’ lifecycle.
