Skip to main content

New UK study trials effectiveness of low-emission HGVs

Cenex, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies is to partner with logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel to trial the effectiveness of low-emissions heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs) operating as parts of large fleets with demanding-duty cycles. Funded in part by Innovate UK’s Low-Emission Freight and Logistics Project, the Reduced-Emission Logistics (RED-E-LOG) trial will see one of the UK’s largest fleet operators trial the effectiveness of dedicated (spark-ignited) gas and dual-fuel direct injecti
July 25, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Cenex, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies is to partner with logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel to trial the effectiveness of low-emissions heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs) operating as parts of large fleets with demanding-duty cycles.


Funded in part by Innovate UK’s Low-Emission Freight and Logistics Project, the Reduced-Emission Logistics (RED-E-LOG) trial will see one of the UK’s largest fleet operators trial the effectiveness of dedicated (spark-ignited) gas and dual-fuel direct injection methane-diesel trucks in completing demanding-duty cycles for consumer brands such as Whitbread, owner of Costa Coffee, Premier Inn and Virgin.

Kuehne + Nagel will trial 29 dedicated gas and direct-injection, dual-fuel methane/diesel trucks, which will refuel with liquid biomethane from a depot-based liquefied biomethane (LBM) station. Liquefied biomethane is a sustainable and renewable fuel derived from waste.

The project aims to reduce total cost of ownership and deliver emissions savings. Producing less CO2, NOX and particulate matter (PM), gas-powered trucks are particularly attractive to fleets operating in urban areas, as seven UK cities will introduce air-quality zones by 2020.
 
The project aims to prove the reliability, emission savings, cost savings, and practical use of low-emissions HGVs in the UK’s most demanding logistics operations. Currently, the logistics industry accounts for 17 per cent of all UK road-transport emissions. Working in partnership, Kuehne + Nagel will manage the trial, Microlise will manage fleet telematics to capture detailed vehicle data and Emissions Analytics will provide independent emissions testing to quantify the emissions performances of the new vehicle technologies. Cenex will share trial findings with UK logistics operators, and use them to encourage investment in low carbon solutions for demanding-duty cycles.

Related Content

  • Over-the-air software updates to benefit for automotive market, IHS says
    September 8, 2015
    While quite common in smartphones and personal computers, remote over-the-air (OTA) software updates are still only in their infancy in the automotive space, according to a new report from IHS Automotive. The report finds that OTA software updates will eventually be a big benefit for the automotive industry due to their capacity to reduce warranty costs, potentially increase overall completion rates for software-related recalls, improve customer satisfaction by eliminating trips to the dealership for so
  • Mann+Hummel deploys particulate filter to StreetScooter vehicles
    December 22, 2017
    To combat particulates caused from electric vehicles’ (EVs) tire, brake and road abrasion, Mann+Hummel (M+H) has developed a dust filter for five StreetScooter test vehicles used by the Deutsche Post DHL Group in five German city centres. Findings from the trial could be used to provide a basis for broader implementation of the solution.
  • Clean diesel buses to power Maryland’s transit future
    February 2, 2016
    The Maryland Transit Administration is now in line to receive almost US$100 million to invest in 172 advanced clean diesel buses after receiving approval by the state’s spending board. The Baltimore Business Journal reported the new clean diesel buses will replace older vehicles – some which have been service for 15 years. The Maryland decision mirrors other significant orders of clean diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses by transit agencies in major communities like New York, San Fran
  • The weighty problem of truck routing enforcement
    March 17, 2015
    The growing impact of heavy commercial vehicles on urban and interurban highway infrastructures around the world is driving the need for reliable route access restriction and monitoring. The support role of enforcement is proving fertile ground for ITS development. Bridges are especially vulnerable – and critical in terms of travel delays. The US state of Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT) operates what it claims is one of the country’s most aggressive truck route restriction enforcement programme