Key factors for reducing emissions in the truck and bus market.

Transportation is critical to support mobility, economies and services around the world. It can also help create greener, healthier and more prosperous cities. Nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions from C40 cities come from transportation, of which traffic is considered the largest contributor to air pollution. Emission reduction is, therefore, a key challenge for many engineers in today’s truck and bus industry.

Parker’s recent ebook “Reducing Emissions: How to Meet EU 2030 Emissions Targets for Trucks and Buses, Exploring Industry Trends” examines policy developments and emerging technologies-including electrification, hydrogen-powered vehicles and alternative fuels.

European Union (EU) emission standards and targets.

European emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles were established in 1992. Since then, industry standards have been revised and refined. In addition, additional regulations and directives were introduced.

Alongside the regulatory framework is a series of publicly stated pledges to support carbon neutrality. Some examples include:

Local legislation-such as Berlin’s Mobility Act, which aims to ensure that all transportation vehicles will be zero-emission by 2030
Emissions targets-for example, the UK’s stated intent is to achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050
Approaches to public procurement-with several cities committed to purchasing zero-emission buses, including Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen and Moscow.

Regulations already restrict access in some cities, and there are financial penalties for noncompliance.

The collective impact of these factors has far-reaching implications for truck and bus engineers and drives innovation to decrease vehicle weight and space and noise and efficiency levels.

Reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

The three main key areas for reducing emissions from diesel engines are:

Exhaust emissions emitted during vehicle operation, including gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen monoxide (NOx) and other particles.
Internal combustion engine emissions generated by crankcase ventilation system
Telematics software used to analyze vehicle efficiency, driver performance, and fuel economy.

With a gradual shift from diesel to other technologies expected in the near term, many companies are focused on reducing CO2 and particulate emissions. Paying particular attention to fuel economy-particularly the relationship between vehicle weight, fuel consumption and emissions-is often a priority. Material selection plays the role of ensuring that the selected components do not contaminate the fuel or cause degradation. In addition, fuel filtration can also help reduce vehicle operating costs.

Reducing emissions from buses and coaches

In Europe, 95 percent of buses have diesel engines. Less than 3 percent of vehicles are powered by natural gas, with a very small percentage of electric buses in the market, although this trend is expected to change in the coming years.

With investment costs often critical to business, some bus operators are looking for various/new options. This includes not only the “recycling” of aging fleets, the renewal of retired vehicles but also the gradual introduction of new buses powered by alternative fuels.

Technologies to support emission strategies

Many engineers are considering medium- and long-term technology options as part of their emission reduction strategies. These typically include:

Natural gas – including both CNG and LNG natural gas for transportation purposes
Hydrogen fuel cell technologies
Electrification

The opportunities and challenges associated with each of these technologies are examined in the ebook on emission reductions:

Supply chain integration can be a source of concern for some companies. The complexities of industry certifications and quality management standards (such as, for example, IATF 16949, ISO 26262, PPAP, and EC79) lead suppliers to have to demonstrate breadth of capability and robust quality processes.

For more information on emission reductions from the bus and truck industry:

Visit our dedicated section to learn more about Parker’s expertise.

Article written with input from Parker Truck and Bus Team

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Transportation is critical to support mobility, economies and services around the world. It can also help create greener, healthier and more prosperous cities. Nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions from C40 cities come from transportation, of which traffic is considered the largest contributor to air pollution. Emission reduction is, therefore, a key challenge for many engineers in today’s truck and bus industry.

Parker’s recent ebook “Reducing Emissions: How to Meet EU 2030 Emissions Targets for Trucks and Buses, Exploring Industry Trends” examines policy developments and emerging technologies-including electrification, hydrogen-powered vehicles and alternative fuels.

European Union (EU) emission standards and targets.

European emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles were established in 1992. Since then, industry standards have been revised and refined. In addition, additional regulations and directives were introduced.

Alongside the regulatory framework is a series of publicly stated pledges to support carbon neutrality. Some examples include:

Local legislation-such as Berlin’s Mobility Act, which aims to ensure that all transportation vehicles will be zero-emission by 2030
Emissions targets-for example, the UK’s stated intent is to achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050
Approaches to public procurement-with several cities committed to purchasing zero-emission buses, including Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen and Moscow.

Regulations already restrict access in some cities, and there are financial penalties for noncompliance.

The collective impact of these factors has far-reaching implications for truck and bus engineers and drives innovation to decrease vehicle weight and space and noise and efficiency levels.

Reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

The three main key areas for reducing emissions from diesel engines are:

Exhaust emissions emitted during vehicle operation, including gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen monoxide (NOx) and other particles.
Internal combustion engine emissions generated by crankcase ventilation system
Telematics software used to analyze vehicle efficiency, driver performance, and fuel economy.

With a gradual shift from diesel to other technologies expected in the near term, many companies are focused on reducing CO2 and particulate emissions. Paying particular attention to fuel economy-particularly the relationship between vehicle weight, fuel consumption and emissions-is often a priority. Material selection plays the role of ensuring that the selected components do not contaminate the fuel or cause degradation. In addition, fuel filtration can also help reduce vehicle operating costs.

Reducing emissions from buses and coaches

In Europe, 95 percent of buses have diesel engines. Less than 3 percent of vehicles are powered by natural gas, with a very small percentage of electric buses in the market, although this trend is expected to change in the coming years.

With investment costs often critical to business, some bus operators are looking for various/new options. This includes not only the “recycling” of aging fleets, the renewal of retired vehicles but also the gradual introduction of new buses powered by alternative fuels.

Technologies to support emission strategies

Many engineers are considering medium- and long-term technology options as part of their emission reduction strategies. These typically include:

Natural gas – including both CNG and LNG natural gas for transportation purposes
Hydrogen fuel cell technologies
Electrification

The opportunities and challenges associated with each of these technologies are examined in the ebook on emission reductions:

Supply chain integration can be a source of concern for some companies. The complexities of industry certifications and quality management standards (such as, for example, IATF 16949, ISO 26262, PPAP, and EC79) lead suppliers to have to demonstrate breadth of capability and robust quality processes.

For more information on emission reductions from the bus and truck industry:

Visit our dedicated section to learn more about Parker’s expertise.

Article written with input from Parker Truck and Bus Team

Related content:
The choice between LNG and CNG as transportation fuel

Why replace the compressed air filter element?

Why Industry 4.0 requires smarter solutions in the food & beverage sectorParker Hannifin | Parker Hannifin