Assessment of the effectiveness of a fuel additive to reduce fuel consumption of HDVs highlights the importance of verification programs

Martín Tanco, Matías Aresti, Julio Villalobos, Diego Moratorio, Daniel Jurburg and Jose Holguin-Veras

Energy, 2019, vol. 189, issue C

Abstract: Trucks’ fuel consumption translates into large amount of greenhouse gases emissions and accounts for a large portion of the costs of transportation. This situation highlights the need for more fuel-efficient freight vehicles. In this context, several technologies have emerged to enhance heavy-duty vehicles’ (HDV’s) fuel economy. In this paper, the impact on fuel consumption due to the use of a widely used additive was tested under three test conditions using two test procedures: SAE J1321 and NCh 3331. Heavy-duty trucks and urban buses were tested on a closed test track using driving conditions similar to those found in urban operation. Another round of tests (only using trucks) was carried out on a highway. The main objective of those tests was to determine the impact of the use of the selected additive on fuel consumption under different operational conditions and to assess the merits of the additive in an emerging market. The results showed no statistical significant impacts on fuel consumption that could be attributed to the additive tested. These results highlight the need for technology verification programs that, based on rigorous testing protocols, provide policy makers in emerging countries with the technical information to determine if a fuel additive is indeed as effective as stated by the manufacturer.

Keywords: Technology verification program; Green transportation systems; Fuel economy; Diesel additive; Emerging markets; HDV (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:189:y:2019:i:c:s0360544219319644

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116269

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