What types of energy are available today to power a truck?

What types of energy are available today to power a truck?

There are 4:

• Diesel
• Gas
• Hydrogen
• Electricity

Let’s review them one by one to see which will be the most effective in reducing CO2 emissions.

Note that all the CO2 emission reduction figures quoted are calculated from cradle to grave, in other words, they take into account all the CO2 emitted, from the production of energy and vehicles to the end of the vehicles' life. These calculations were made for a 16-ton vehicle.

Bio-Diesel, a fatty-acid ester produced from vegetable oils such as rapeseed, provides a 65% savings on CO2 emissions compared to fossil-based diesel fuel and could be a good supplement for de-carbonising the road transport of goods. At present, it is obviously one of the cheapest solutions.

However, the use of bio-diesel for road transport is restricted by the limited quantities available, and its production can also engender risks of deforestation and encounter competition from other sectors, such as food production.

By 2040, it is very likely that no more than 10% of trucks will be using this type of fuel.

Synthetic fuels (XTL, HVO), second-generation biofuels, provide further reductions in CO2 emissions. Obtained from animal fats, used oils, or forestry residues, they do not compete with food products. However, the quantities currently available are very small and will probably remain so for the next few decades, since the amount of usable raw materials is limited.

E-diesel, produced using renewable electricity, water and CO2 from the atmosphere, also provides a 65% reduction in emissions compared to fossil diesel fuels. However, making it available requires massive investments that are still not a sure bet.

This means methane, which exists in two forms: fossil natural gas and biogas produced from the fermentation of gasification of organic matter (biomass).

Fossil natural gas provides a savings of only 5% of CO2 emissions compared to diesel fuel. It is thus not a viable option for de-carbonisation.

Bio-Methane or biogas, produced by the fermentation or gasification of organic matter, serves to emit 75% less CO2 than with diesel fuel. However, the quantities of biogas available are, and will remain, limited. Thus, for its use, the transport sector will be competing with other business sectors, and its price (4 times higher than natural gas in 2019) is due to rise due to the probable decrease in public funds for its production.

Biogas emits nitrogen oxides (NOx), which will disqualify it for use in the city. Lastly, its potential greenhouse gas effect, which contributes to global warming, is 86 times that of CO2 over an 80-year period and thus requires very close monitoring to minimize the risks of leaks during its production and transport.

About 10% of trucks, probably heavy, long-distance and construction vehicles, will likely run on biogas as of 2040.

The hydrogen we have access to presently, known as grey hydrogen, is produced from fossil methane and emits 14% more CO2 than fossil-based diesel fuel. Switching to green hydrogen, produced using renewable, electric-powered electrolysis would, however, serve to reduce CO2 emissions up to 62%.

This transition will take place slowly and at the cost of heavy investments, and road transport will still be at a point where it is competing with other sectors that have no other way to de-carbonise. Its use on a broad scale thus cannot be expected before the next decade.

Hydrogen fuel cells are the most advanced technology today. Such cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electric power. An alternative use of hydrogen is in combustion engines that can use a less pure form and require less cooling. However, a downside is that such systems emit a small amount of NOx, which makes their use in cities unlikely, and they consume a bit more hydrogen than fuel cells.

On average, in Europe, de-carbonised electric power produced from renewable energy sources or nuclear generation currently allows for a 55% savings in CO2 emissions compared to fossil-based diesel fuel. In some countries, such as France, that savings is over 80%.

The technology for electric motors is readily at hand, and the working charge of batteries is steadily increasing.

Free of direct emissions effects, electric trucks are the most efficient solution to urban pollution problems. They can be recharged at night - during off-peak hours - on either an industrial, three-phase connection or a basic charging terminal, they run silently, and they provide great comfort of use for drivers.

Although electric vehicles continue to be more expensive than those running on diesel fuel, the gap is continuously closing, and some applications, such as trash collection, are already fully competitive. Starting in 2025, the total cost of owning and operating a battery-powered electric truck for city use will be less than that of a diesel fuel truck. By that date, all types of urban uses will be covered by electric trucks.