With commercial vehicle operators under more pressure than ever, they are faced with the day-to-day task of maximising profits, while ensuring they comply with current and future emission regulations.
As a result, many operators are now looking at the pros and cons of the fuels they use to power their vehicles to help reduce costs while meeting emission requirements. This process includes assessing the possibility and timings of a switch from traditional diesel to alternative fuel options.
Alternative fuels to traditional diesel
Moving forward, alternative fuels to traditional diesel are expected to be a growing part of the commercial vehicle energy mix. While numerous alternatives have been, or are in the process of being developed, the leading contenders likely to have a significant impact are biofuels, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electricity. These alternative fuels can be renewable depending on the source of feedstock or energy used.
The two main biofuels for use in diesel vehicles are Hydro Treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME).
HVO has better combustion qualities than diesel and produces lower PM (Particulate Matter) and NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) emissions. HVO also has the advantage that it can be used as a replacement or added to traditional diesel without engine modification. Vehicle manufacturer fuel requirements should be checked when considering use of 100% HVO. However, HVO availability is limited and may continue to be challenged as existing and future legislation requirements increase demand.
FAME can produce lower PM emissions than diesel. However, it may require additional processing in order to mitigate fuel system operational issues. For example, FAME has more impurities than HVO that can cause filter blocking at lower temperatures. FAME also has a higher potential to promote microbiological growth. FAME must be blended with diesel, as engine manufacturers typically specify a maximum concentration of FAME.
Natural gas is a fuel that is also gaining traction in the market. LNG and CNG both have very low PM and NOx emissions at the outlet of the engine and can reduce CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions by 10 – 15% compared with diesel. This means some LNG and CNG trucks may meet the current stringent European emission requirements with a simpler after-treatment system than diesel trucks, reducing or avoiding the need to use AdBlue, etc.
LNG requires cryogenic tanks and vehicles are typically more expensive than diesel alternatives. However, LNG could prove a compelling choice for larger vehicles with a high annual mileage (typically, 100,000 km or more). Newer vehicles have good ranges of up to 1,000 km and once the infrastructure is in place, LNG is typically available at a lower cost than diesel.
CNG has approximately half of the energy density of LNG, making it more suitable for shorter distance / regular return-to-base fleets due to the trade-off between energy storage and vehicle payload. This fuel may have particular appeal for use in waste disposal vehicles and buses. It also has a lower cost of installation compared with LNG and refueling is performed at lower pressure, so requires less stringent safety measures.
Electricity is also a fuel being used to power automotive vehicles. However, a very large battery would be required given the power requirements of large commercial vehicles, potentially impacting the maximum payload. At the moment, the primary applications for electric commercial vehicles are city buses and urban delivery vehicles operating in low emission zones, with short / medium return to base operations.
Before switching to alternative fuels, operators need to consider factors such as vehicle cost, fuel availability, total distance, typical routes and average mileage. Undertaking a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis will also help to determine the best fuel and vehicle mix for a fleet.
The future of diesel
While trials and the use of alternative fuels are widely reported, diesel will continue to be a significant part of the fuels mix for large commercial vehicles, now and into the future.
Engine manufacturers continue to develop diesel fuelled vehicles to help achieve very low emissions of particulates and NOx. At the same time, leading oil companies continue to invest in research and development to improve the performance of diesel. For example, ExxonMobil has developed Esso Diesel Efficient™ fuel. This fuel is designed to clean up deposits on fuel injectors, helping to improve engine performance. Tests at Millbrook, one of the most comprehensive test facilities in the world for conducting independent fuels testing, conducted with heavy duty vehicles over a five month period of normal daily on-road operations found that Esso Diesel Efficient™ fuel helped to reduce emissions; 10% NOx, 22% PM and 2.8% CO2, and improve fuel consumption by an average of 2.8% when compared to unadditised diesel. This fuel is available in UK and in 5 other countries across Europe.
A mixed fuels future
With regulations evolving rapidly, commercial operators focused on optimising TCO, and the infrastructure to supply some alternative fuels still in its infancy, change is one thing that is guaranteed in the commercial vehicle sector moving forward. It's for this reason that it's important for commercial vehicle operators to choose reputable fuel suppliers who they can work with to develop the optimum fuels solution for their business.
Vehicle type, engine type, driving behaviour, and other factors also impact fuel and vehicle performance, emissions, and fuel economy. You can find out more about Esso Diesel Efficient™ fuel and the independent tests performed at Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd. at https://wholesalefuels.esso.co.uk/en/customer-type/advantages-diesel-efficient-for-heavy-duty-vehicles
Lauren Kreno, EU Fuel Products Technical Advisor and Dirk Pyatt, EAME Commercial Fuels Marketing Manager, ExxonMobil
