CO2 saving tricks for diesel trucks
Five commercial vehicle innovations from IAA Transportation
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The logistics industry also faces major challenges when it comes to climate protection. At the IAA Transportation in Hanover, electric trucks in particular are pointing the way to a more climate-friendly future. But there is still some savings potential for diesel too.
At the IAA Transportation commercial vehicle trade fair (until September 22nd), the focus is primarily on decarbonization and therefore electric drive concepts for tractors, vans and pick-ups. But in addition to the megatrend of electric drives, some innovations from the supplier industry will also be presented with which classic diesel trucks can operate a little more efficiently.
ZF TrailTrax
Semi-trailer tractors with diesel engines will be in use for a long time, but with the support of electric drive technology they will be able to drive much more economically in the future. ZF is introducing such partial electrification with the “TrailTrax” trailer concept, with which CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 16 percent. A semi-trailer is equipped with the AxTrax2 e-axle developed by ZF. This recuperates when braking and converts the braking energy into electrical energy, which is temporarily stored in a battery. The energy obtained in this way can be used to drive the 210 kW electric axle, which reduces the load on the main drive of the tractor. The concept also works According to ZF, trailer manufacturers such as Kässbohrer and Krone as well as the trailer chassis and axle supplier BPW are already using TrailTrax technologies in combination with electrically driven tractor units, which can therefore achieve greater ranges.
In Efficiency SolarOnTop
The Dutch company IM Efficiency covers the roofs of truck trailers with solar panels. They charge an additional battery that supplies the on-board electrical system with power. This means that the alternator does not have to generate electricity for the additional consumers while driving. The panels can also charge the truck battery when it is stationary, so the engine does not have to be running. Fuel savings should be over 5 percent. This saves around 2,000 liters of diesel per year. The investment in such a solar system is said to have paid for itself after just three years.
Michelin X Line Energy 3 and X Multi Energy 2
The new low-friction truck tires from Michelin can reduce the fuel consumption of diesel trucks.
(Photo: Michelin)
The tire manufacturer Michelin is presenting two new types of truck tires at the IAA: the X Line Energy and the X Multi Energy, which are characterized by reduced rolling resistance and thus help to reduce fuel consumption. The X Line Energy 3, which was specially designed for long-distance transport, was awarded energy efficiency class A. The French promise fuel savings of up to 0.62 liters per 100 kilometers. With a mileage of 150,000 kilometers, up to 3 tons of CO2 should be saved compared to the average of competitors. The Multi Energy 2, which is designed for trucks and heavy commercial vehicles on motorways, federal and country roads, is expected to save up to 0.5 tons of CO2 over a mileage of 100,000 kilometers per year.
Bosch Retrofit Efficiency Modules
With the Retrofit Efficiency Module, Bosch is showing a retrofit solution at the IAA that is intended to ensure more intelligent speed control. Bosch promises quick installation and easy integration into existing transport and fleet management systems. The system regulates the speed of the vehicle in real time without the driver having to intervene. Unlike cruise control, the system is intended to dynamically adapt the speed to the situation and select the optimal speed depending on the situation. On average, this should save 4% fuel.
Maxion Wheels Lightweight steel rim
The rim specialist Maxion is presenting a new lightweight steel rim that weighs less than 30 kilograms at the commercial vehicle trade fair. Maxion wants to save 60 percent of CO2 emissions during production, among other things, by using green steel. In addition, Maxion says it has achieved the next level of weight reduction in steel truck wheels through, among other things, a leaf-shaped vent hole design. Around 3 kilograms can be saved per wheel, which enables the payload to be increased by 40 kilograms, which in turn has a positive effect on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
