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

  • December 11, 2020
    Gridserve unveils 'mass charging' EV forecourt
    Company says it can charge 36 EVs at once, adding 200 miles of range in 20 minutes
  • October 28, 2015
    When caring about sharing is good business for US automakers
    Although car-sharing and ride-sharing could drastically reduce car sales, David Crawford finds some US automakers are keen to participate in the sharing economy. Growing consumer interest in car- and ride-sharing, as opposed to outright ownership, and ride-sharer Uber’s recently stated intention to make its brand competitive with ownership on cost, are making the major US automotive manufacturers think seriously about their future sales prospects. Some have already begun exploring ways of entering the field
  • January 7, 2022
    Maryland targets 2030 e-bus transition
    Maryland DoT MTA to change 50% of diesel/hybrid buses to zero-emission in next eight years
  • April 30, 2015
    California aims to reduce emissions 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030
    California’s transportation systems are set for a radical overhaul following Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive order to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. Figures from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that transportation accounts for 199.3 million tonnes of CO2 - almost 60 per cent of the state’s CO2 emissions, while the next largest is industrial production (62.9 million tonnes), followed by electric power at 36.5 million tonnes, residential us