Low Carbon Truck Trial
Case Study
The Challenge
The Department for Transport commissioned a research project for data collection and analysis to demonstrate the impacts and benefits of using the alternatively fuelled trucks, deployed through the trial across a range of freight operations, conducted by Atkins and Cenex.
Trial aims:
- Create a publicly accessible gas refuelling network in the UK
- Enable commercial vehicle operators to trial and learn about alternatively fuelled vehicles
- Enable system providers to learn new ways to develop their products
- Generate a body of evidence to inform government policy and increase industry confidence in the benefits available from low carbon alternative transport.
The Development
The trial was made up of 12 consortia comprising of fleets, station suppliers, dual fuel system suppliers, universities and testing facilities. Cenex led the evaluation aspects of the trial which included: assessing vehicle costs and environmental performance, barriers to implementation, attitudes and opinions and running regular dissemination and study workshops.
The Results
The Low Carbon Truck trial met its original key objectives above. It provided a rich and valuable data source, to assist policy makers in evaluating the technologies within the trial and provided feedback to the fleet community to give them the knowledge to make informed choices within their fleets.
A total of 380 trucks were deployed, the majority being dual fuel (diesel/gas) vehicles, with some dedicated gas vehicles, and some vehicles running on used cooking oil. The programme also funded 25 new/upgraded refuelling stations.
Funders:
Partners:
Key Skills:
- Survey fleet manager and driver attitudes
- Evaluate impact of fuels on vehicle performance, reliability, usability, economics and emissions
- Identify barriers and solutions
Learning Outcomes:
- There is a lack of independent information and guidance on alternative technologies
- 66% of fleet managers were pleased with the performance of the trial trucks relative to diesel equivalents
- Alternatively fuelled truck numbers could decline if further financial support is not provided