Recently in Green transport Category

'Hello... What's all this then?' (as Bender Rodriguez would say...) A smart Volvo dustcart, next to one of Britain's most iconic landmarks...? Word reaches Biglorryblog that after 18 months of positive preliminary field trials Volvo has upgraded what it describes as "the world's first hybrid refuse truck" based on its FE six wheeler, which has gained new components and software and is being tested by Veolia Environmental Services in central London." And you can read all about it (and how you can see it on a video clip) by clicking through here!

I've said it before (and no doubt I'll keep on saying it until you cry 'Enough Biglorryblog already!' But I continue to be impressed with how much further down the road the Americans seem to be with hybrid HEAVY trucks. Take this diesel-electric Mack Granite hybrid tractor built by the Bulldog manufacturer for the US Air Force. And thanks to its latest generation heavy-duty hybrid technology it already meets the forthcoming 'near-zero' EPA2010 emissions regulations. Now click through here for the details...

Given that the 'other' Swedish truck manufacturer might get the hump with all this stuff about the new Scania R-Series here's a little story just to remind you that in 2010 Volvo will be the first truck manufacturer to start conducting comprehensive field tests with trucks running on Bio-DME. That's Di-Methyl-Ether to all your science buffs, or the fuel that's produced out of cellulose--which is pretty convenient seeing that as Sweden has plenty of the stuff on account of its timber industry. And why trial DME in a truck? Because, being a biofuel, it produces very low CO2 dioxide emissions. Indeed, according to Volvo, "In the long term it has the potential to replace 50% of today's diesel used for transport operations in."

The field tests are part of a joint project involving, among others, the EU, the Swedish Energy Agency, fuel companies and the transport industry. The aim is to assess the potential of DME as a truck fuel. Meanwhile, DME produced from biomass, known surprisingly as 'Bio-DME', has both high energy efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions all the way from the source to the road. The raw material used is black liquor, an energy-rich, highly viscous by-product of the wood pulp industry. With Bio-DME instead of diesel as a fuel, carbon dioxide emissions are cut by as much as 95%. Now click through here to see what the trials will involve...

At last the truth can be told! Forget all about Scania's new Euro-5 EGR 5-Series Pah...old hat! The truth is those clever Swedes have come up with the ultimate 'Green' truck. And here it is. And naturally this is a Biglorryblog world exclusive. The folks at Sodertalje have invented a top-weight tractor that runs on pure air! Don't believe me? This is its fuel tank. Obviously as soon as Scania's minders saw me taking these SCOOP pictures they tried to stop me but I'm not going to be put off by excessive entertaining, low alcohol beer  and salmon steaks!

What's more the air-powered Scania doesn't even have an engine! So all the more payload for weight-conscious hauliers...I reckon it's worth a good tonne on the bottom line. Now click through here for another clever device from the Swedish truck maker..

Word reaches me that Daimler Trucks North America is to participate in the US Department of Energy's program to promote alternative drivetrain system technologies by putting more than 600 Freightliner trucks equipped with either hybrid or natural gas drivelines on the road with leading American fleet operators. Meanwhile if you want to know why the US is so far ahead of the UK with regard to developing green transport just consider this. Last week, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it would be supporting the Daimler trucks programm to the tune of $32.9 million (approx. €23 million) worth of grant in funding "...to be applied toward the purchase and support of 638 hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles by several leading national fleet operators." Kind of makes what we're doing over here look rather sick don't you think? Now click through here for more...

Despite noting in the latest edition of Motor Transport that one UK operator was slightly less-then-ecstatic with the fuel-saving performance of their latest ECO-start Sprinters, clearly there are plenty of operators in Germany who reckon that Merc's auto engine shut-down system is the dog's wotnots especially higher up the weight range. How else to explain the fact that more than 2,600 Atego middleweight trucks with the automatic engine start/stop system were sold in the first half of 2009 alone? And here's one Biglorryblog spotted earlier. For the record that amounts to a sales increase of some 1,500 units or 130% compared to the total recorded in ALL of 2008. And why do they like ECO-Start? Well because with it you can reduce your average fuel consumption by up to 3%..nothing to be sniffed at. Now click through here for more...including a description of how it works.

Now here's a good story that's all about putting your money where your mouth is....over the past two years, Volvo Trucks has reduced its CO2 emissions from transport to and from the company's European factories. The green project was initiated by Volvo trucks CEO Staffan Jufors and is being conducted in collaboration with Volvo Logistics. Click through here to find out how they've been doing...

And here, for your delectation is the first ever-hybrid truck for hazardous goods transport - if not in the world then at least in the US of A. The Freightliner Business Class M2e is fitted with a Daimler/Eaton hybrid electric driveline and was developed for its operators, Pennington Gas Service, which specialises in delivering propane gas primarily to customers in Ohio, and Indiana. It marks the first time a Freightliner hybrid truck will be used for a hazardous material delivery application. Now click through here fore more...

Aaarghhh!!! It's a BUS. What's that doing on Biglorryblog? Giidditorfff! It's certainly a change from the old Routematser (or indeed the AEC Mercury in which BLB passed his PSV licence---but I don't talk about that) that's for sure...Anyroadup the reason why I'm bloging this is a) I like the artist's drawing which I supect is the work of one of Bertrand Janssen's merry men (BJ being one of BLB's favourite truck designers) and b) because it shows that Mercedes-Benz is headed straight for a clean future (I never doubted it for a miniute) What's more, this June, Mercedes-Benz Buses will present the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid model, the CV manufacturer's first fuel-cell hybrid bus. The regular-service city bus marks yet another important milestone on the road to zero-emission vehicles and improved resource conservation as part of Daimler's "Shaping Future Transportation" global initiative. Now click through here for more...

And of course it proves what I've been saying all along. If you want truck operators to buy greener vehicles then we should give them the wherewithall to do so--and that means proper grants. So how come the Americans get it and our wonderful epartment for Transport and Treasury don't err...duh! 

Meanwhile, I can tell you that Eaton, Peterbilt's hybrid system partner has collaborated with the Environmental Defense Fund to complete and submit applications on behalf of the truck maker and its customers to receive the available Diesel Emission Reduction Act grant discounts. However, Peterbilt hybrid customers must complete a non-binding letter of intent to purchase and customer application form to become eligible for the grant. What's more, additional federal tax credits of up to $12,000 and state and municipal funding may also be available to offset the hybrid equipment costs further. Now THAT's the way to do it! Click through here for more including the fine print and which trucks qualify....

Now here's a fine looking machine...and once again Biglorryblog notes how much further advanced the Americans are with regard to introducing heavy truck hybrids. Thanks to David Giroux director, marketing communications at Peterbilt I can tell you that, as part of its on-going effort to reduce its global CO2 footprint and fuel consumption, American Honda Motor Co (www.honda.com) has become the first company in its industry to introduce a Class 8 hybrid diesel electric truck into its truck fleet at its parts center in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Peterbilt Smartway-certified Model 386 hybrid tractor is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by almost 45 tons per year, as compared to its diesel counterpart.

Honda uses Class 8 artics to transport service parts between its parts centers and dealerships. The company's diesel truck fleet, operated by its truck fleet partner, UPS Freight Truckload, typically travels 300,000 miles per day. The hybrid truck, which has an Eaton diesel-electric hybrid system, will operate on two delivery runs--a hilly route in Tennessee and a relatively flat one in Georgia--in order to evaluate the truck's fuel economy under various driving conditions. Honda will alternate the hybrid with a standard diesel truck and will collect data using engine telematics to accurately compare the performance of the two trucks on the same routes. Testing and evaluation will take place over the next year.  Now click through here for more....

Not content with putting the cat amongst the pigeons with their box-bodied aerodynamic Teardrop' trailer Don-Bur has since created a curtainsider version and ICI Paints AkzoNobel, has taken delivery of eight of them following an environmental review. As most Biglorryblog readers know, the Teardrop design features a full length curve over the whole roof which not only reduces turbulence and minimises drag, but being so super slippery can create a 10% saving in fuel and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 100 tonnes each year for the fleet compared to its standard curtain-sided trailers. The eight new trailers, fully liveried with ICI Paints AkzoNobel brands, will be used on the UK operations from Goole and Stowmarket and will serve the new style store delivery trunking operation.

Whilst the solid body Teardrop trailer (pictured above running for PC World) has been seen on the UK's roads for about 12 months, 'curtain-sided' versions are very new. Still retaining a 4m roof height at the front to match the tractor unit, rising to 4.5m and gradually dipping to 3.7m at the rear, the curtain-sider also has aerodynamic, full-wrap side skirts to further enhance its streamline qualities. David Macrae, UK Logistics Manager from ICI Paints AkzoNobel tells Biglorryblog: "Sustainability and the environment are very important to us. The introduction of these aerodynamic trailers is another step in the right direction and is a part of our 'Step Towards Greener' initiative. We will continue to work together to ensure we can further minimise the impact of our transport."

And here's one of the very first Teardrops to appear..belonging to M&S which used a very attractive young lady called Chloe waving a pair of M&S ladies' pants in the air to launch it... And naturally you'll find it all by clicking through here...

Seeing the pics of the Armstrong Foden in the livery of Gretna FC reminded me that the last time it was in the yard of Clean Air Power at Leyland. I've managed to locate a couple of pics of another Armstrong Foden, with a CAP LNG conversion. Expect this to be a big year for CAP, by the way, as it has agreed a letter of intent with Volvo to supply alternative fuel systems.

Dig this crazy tipper colour scheme...! But that's not why Biglorryblog I've posted it up. At the recent Iveco 'Stae of the Nation' the Italian truck maker confirmed that from now on all Eurocargo, Trakker and Stralis models (except the Stralis 560) will come equipped to the Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV) level as standard. And it's about time I blogged on it. Iveco tells me: "This follows two major trends Iveco has set previously in the truck sector by offering its trucks with automated EuroTronic gearboxes as standard, as well as standardising on Euro 5 across its product ranges, two years ahead of the deadline."

Martin Flach, product director at Iveco UK, explains to BLB: "All new models ordered from our factories will be built to meet EEV standards with immediate effect. EEV was originally developed as the appropriate level for a CNG-powered vehicle, and serves as a stepping stone between Euro 5 and Euro 6.  Most importantly, it sees the diesel particulates in a vehicle's emissions cut from 0.03 to 0.02 g/kw hour." I understand the EEV rating is achieved through more work on the combustion process--rather than by adding any additional diesel particulate filter. "Whilst some manufacturers offer EEV as an added-cost option on specific models in their ranges, Iveco is the first to make it available across the board as standard on all new factory orders," says Martin.

Meanwhile, Iveco (along with other manufacturers) is lobbying the government to introduce a financial incentive for operators to adopt the new EEV technology, with the withdrawal of the Reduced Pollution Certificate due in September 2009.  "There are already incentives available in some European member states for purchasing EEV vehicles," notes Martin. "...and indeed any UK operator with an EEV vehicle would pay lower tolls if travelling through Germany.  We'd like the UK Government to recognise the benefits of fleets adopting this new greener technology and to provide a suitable incentive. The environmental benefits of an operator taking an older Euro 2 or 3 truck off the road and replacing it with an EEV vehicle are significant."  To which Biglorryblog says 'I'll buy that--and the DfT and more importantly the Treasury, should jolly well pay for it too! An RPC isn't much--but it's better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper. And speaking of smart tippers click through here for a smart Kiwi Stralis kroozer!

Word reaches Biglorryblog that Wal-Mart Stores is going green in a big way--not least by testing two new types of heavy-truck hybrids and two different alternative-fuelled waggons as a part of the company's efforts to build on its progress in developing a more sustainable trucking fleet. The new trucks include a 'full-propulsion Arvin Meritor hybrid that will initially operate in the Detroit area. The dual-mode diesel-electric hybrid is believed to be the first vehicle of its type.' Meanwhile, on the alternative fuel from Wal-Mart will also be trialling 15 trucks out of its Buckeye, Arizona. distribution centre near Phoenix, which will run on "Reclaimed Grease FuelTM", which BLB understands is made with the waste brown cooking grease from Walmart stores. In addition, other trucks located in the Buckeye site will operate on an 80/20 blend of biodiesel made of reclaimed yellow waste grease."

Five Peterbilt Model 386 heavy duty hybrid trucks with diesel-electric hybrid power systems developed by Eaton will be based in various regions of the US while four Peterbilt Model 386 trucks and one yard truck, which operates only on the distribution centre property, will operate on liquid natural gas. These trucks are part of a partnership with the Mojave Air

Quality Management District and will operate out of the distribution center in Southern California. "In order to meet our goal of doubling our fleet efficiency, we are taking an active role in the development of these technologies," Chris Sultemeier, senior vice president of transportation for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. tells Biglorryblog. "We look forward to determining if these technologies will help reduce our environmental footprint, are viable

for our business and provide a return on investment." Now click through here on news of how Wal-Mart has recently boosted its fleet efficiency and its future goals too....

I am indebted to Mike O'Neill Eaton's PR man who kindly keeps me up to date with all sorts of news Stateside including the fact that Coca-Cola Enterprises has just announced it's buying 185 beverage tractors from Kenworth with Eaton Hybrid Power, making them the largest hybrid truck fleet in North America. And forn the full story check out this web link: http://ir.cokecce.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=359454

Meanwhile, what strikes me as doubly interesting about this story is the fact that we've yet to really embrace hybrid tractors over in Europe---urban distribution trucks yes (as witnessed by the latest DAF LF and Mitsubishi Canter hybrid trials) but tractors no. Infact the first sign of a serious hybrid tractor was at last year's Hanover show when Mercedes showed it's hybrid Axor--pictured above, and for which there has yet to be a customer. So score one-nil to the Yanks who are knocking out hybrids in far greater numbers to real-life truck operators.

Anyroadup for the facts on the new hybrid tractors and Coca Cola's hybrid plans click thriough here...

Biglorryblog is in debt to John Walsh of MackTrucks who has very kindly answered my call for a picture of this splendid beast---the Mack TerraPro Low Entry diesel electric hybrid refuse truck which has just entered service with the US Airforce Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO) at APTO at Warner Robbins Air Logistics Center at Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia. In fact this is the fifth hybrid truck Mack has built for the USAF, with the rest already in operation around the country, which explains its coat of smart airforce blue.

The TerraPro hybrid has a rear loading refuse packer body and is equipped with a 325 hp U.S.'07-compliant Mack MP7 engine (which if Biglorryblog recalls correctly is based on the Volvo D9 diesel). The Mack hybrid-electric powertrain used in the truck features an integrated starter, alternator and motor that assists the MP7 in providing torque to the wheels and regenerates energy during braking. The energy captured during braking -- stored as electricity in lithium ion batteries -- then is used in place of diesel fuel and helps launch the truck from stops. Now click through here for more...

It's funny what you pick up at the most unlikely of places... At last week's Truck & Bus World Forum in Gothenburg Biglorryblog stumbled across this vehicle--which is news to yours truly and I suspect many BLB readers too. It's called the Renault Premium Optifuel Concept Optifuel or 'Optilab'and is a based on a super slippery Premium tractive unit and highly-modified Lamberet trailer.

Apparently it was unveiled in Brussels last September (no one tells me anything!) and according to the French truck maker it: "Proves that lower fuel consumption in heavy vehicles is not limited to the search for alternative solutions to diesel. With a more aerodynamic cab, a 30 cm longer nose, the concept vehicle uses more than 10 % less diesel and cuts CO2 emissions compared with a conventional truck."

Renault goes on to say: "Designed to handle high-volume intercity transport, the Optifuel/Optilab test vehicle supports a research programme aimed at reducing diesel consumption by 15% and lowering CO2 emissions in comparison with a current vehicle (i.e. a Renault Premium Long Distance 450 Euro-4). To achieve this goal, Renault Trucks will continue its work to optimise the driveline, engine and gearbox, especially with regard to ancillary energy use. The project will also serve to test a new high performance fuel, in collaboration with Total."

Moreover, it says: "The second source of economy comes from reducing rolling resistance, achieved by the new generation of tyres developed by Michelin, a partner to Renault Trucks in this project. Nevertheless, the greatest savings in diesel consumption and CO2 emissions comes from the exhaustive work done on the aerodynamics of the outfit." Now click through here for more.....and how you might be seeing one of these trucks for real in 2010...

Did you know, and not alot of people know this...that for every tyre that can be recycled you can save 68-litres of oil and 4kg of rubber..and based on an average weekly production of 3500 tyres moulded over 52 weeks that means that every year, Bandvulc http://www.bandvulc.com/ is saving the planet some 12 million litres of oil and 8 million kilograms of rubber. That's pretty coool I'd say.

And why am I blogging on Bandvulc, well I'm not (well I am) but not so much about them, as about the fact that the Bandvulc group has taken their first Monityre tyre pressure monitoring device from Safe Europewww.safeeu.com. According to Bandvulc group MD Patricl O'Connell ""We run a fleet of 25 vehicles in our distribution fleet and fuel costs form such a big part of our day to day expenditure. Correct tyre pressures play a key role in helping us to optimise our fuel consumption and overall running costs, which is why we talked to Safe Europe about its Monityre TPMS." Now click through here for more....