Schaeffer shared those insights while speaking on a panel yesterday at Fuels2019, the annual meeting of the Fuels Institute. Schaeffer noted the continued overall dominant role of diesel technology in commercial trucking applications and offered perspective about its role in the future.
“Forecasters seem to agree that, for the next 5 to 15 years and beyond, diesel will remain the primary technology for commercial trucking, thanks to its unique combination of features,” he said. “Will there be some inroads made in niche fleets and operations using all electric, hybrid or hydrogen technologies? Yes, of course. Some of these technologies are in development and limited use today, as manufacturers are developing a range of fuels and technologies to best serve their customers. It’s safe to say we’ll also see an increasing use of biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels, as well as the next-generation of diesel that is even nearer-to-zero emissions.”
Research from the forum, conducted with IHS Markit, indicates that numbers of the newest, most advanced and lowest emitting technologies in today’s commercial trucking fleet are rapidly on the rise. Today, more than one-third of all the largest heavy-duty trucks in operation use the newest generation of near-zero emissions clean diesel technology. This translates into substantial societal benefits: 26 million tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 59 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) removed from the air; 98 percent fewer emissions of particulate matter; and an average $2,600 in fuel-cost savings per truck, adding up to 138 million barrels of crude oil saved, according to the research.
“The real winners in all of this will be truckers who will have more fuel-efficient fuel and technology choices than ever before. We’re confident diesel’s proven strengths will be challenging to beat,” Schaeffer said.
“Diesel technologies have a proven track-record of continuous improvement. Engine manufacturers are always looking to the horizon, developing new technologies and strategies to deliver more fuel efficiency, further emissions reductions and more optimized performance. Breakthrough demonstrations of long-haul diesel truck efficiency have proved these technologies capable of nearly doubling the MPG of previous generations of commercial trucks. There are also some very thoughtful discussions about matching technologies with applications, such as dual-fuel battery/electric and diesel drayage trucks for port applications.
“Today’s generation of heavy-duty diesel trucks are the cleanest, and most scrutinized, diesel vehicles ever made. Over the last 15 years, truck and engine makers have worked to virtually eliminate emissions from diesel engines. The transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel coupled with advancements in engine combustion, turbocharging and high-pressure fuel injection, and the addition of advanced clean air chemistry achieved by utilizing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems coupled with particulate filters, has enabled today’s heavy-duty diesel truck engines to achieve near-zero levels of emissions.
