Sustainable solutions for reducing air-conditioning costs and tailpipe emissions from heavy-duty transportation across Europe
Heavy-duty trucks emit >25% of the CO2 of the European road transport sector despite representing ≈2.5% of its fleet. Escalating temperatures associated to global warming will increase the use of air-conditioning (AC) in heavy-duty trucks, further raising their fuel consumption and emissions. Thus, sustainable solutions are needed to reduce the thermal loads affecting the truck cabins, to minimize the need for AC and decrease the sector’s costs and environmental footprint. The authors assessed the economic and environmental impact of AC use in the European heavy-duty transportation fleet, for realistic environmental conditions throughout the year, across the different European regions. Potential reductions were estimated for various changes in the optical properties of the cabin external paints and glazing elements (windshield and side-windows). The use of high-reflectivity paints in the cabin external surfaces and low-transmissivity glazing can reduce fuel costs by ≈€195 million/year across Europe (i.e., ≈0.1% of the total fuel costs of the European heavy-duty fleet), and decrease CO2 emissions by 1% of the reduction target set for 2025. These potential reductions highlight the importance of engaging with transportation stakeholders (e.g., workers unions, vehicle manufacturers, policymakers, and regulating bodies), to raise awareness about the potential benefits for the European transportation sector and the environment, and to promote the necessary adaptation in the transportation fleets.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15568318
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Supplemental Notes:
- © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
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Authors:
- Alves, Pedro G
- Vale, João P
- Nybo, Lars
- Flouris, Andreas D
- Mayor, Tiago S
- Publication Date: 2023-6
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Features: Figures; References;
- Pagination: pp 711-725
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Serial:
- International Journal of Sustainable Transportation
- Volume: 17
- Issue Number: 6
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis
- ISSN: 1556-8318
- EISSN: 1556-8334
- Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ujst20
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Air conditioning systems; Exhaust gases; Fleet management; Fuel consumption; Heavy duty trucks; Reflectorized paint
- Geographic Terms: Europe
- Subject Areas: Aviation; Energy; Environment; Finance; Materials;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01902851
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Dec 20 2023 3:43PM