The Electrified Journey for the Long Run: Energy Savings of a Heavy-Duty Hybrid Electric Truck

Authors

P. Muthyala - RWTH Aachen University

Summary

Road transport is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union (EU) and is responsible for approximately 25% of total GHG emissions in the EU13. In the heavy-duty long haulage transport sector, the reduction of real driving emissions, fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions is a major challenge for society. In this context, the EU has implemented CO2 emissions targets for heavy-duty vehicles that require manufacturers to achieve a reduction of 15% in average fleet emissions from new vehicles by 2025 and 30% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline. To meet these ambitious targets, there is an urgent need to explore alternative pathways away from conventional fossil fuel-based powertrain systems. Options include electrified powertrains and carbon-neutral fuels. An interesting option for heavy-duty trucks is the plug-in hybrid electric powertrain concept. By combining the advantages of both power sources, this concept enables improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions while maintaining the required driving ranges and payload capacities.
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