Is Now the Time for Hybrid Trucks? A View of Hybrid Powertrain Options for Global Markets

Authors

S. Sagener, W. D. Lamb,  A. R. Bennett, Cummins Ltd, Darlington / Columbus:

Year

2024

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

As climate change has been an increasingly global concern, the transportation industry has been tasked with significant tank-to-wheel greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. In Europe this is driven by CO₂ regulation and in the US, by EPA GHG and CARB Clean Fleet Regulations. It is also likely that China will set out more stringent fuel consumption targets in the next generation of regulations (Phase V).

The GHG reduction targets are far beyond what is achievable with conventional vehicle and engine improvements. With the targets set out in Europe and US, regulators are expecting a higher adoption rate of zero tank-to-wheel CO₂ powertrain architectures. These are primarily battery electric vehicles (BEV), hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (H₂ FCEV) and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H₂ ICE).

While faster adoption of these new powertrains is essential for reaching crucial climate change reduction goals, infrastructure readiness is questionable. Therefore, hybrid powertrains could play a vital role in the early stages of heavy-duty transport decarbonisation. Initially, the technology was not considered to be the best option for long haul transportation due to relatively low energy recuperation potential, however the combination of very stringent CO₂ reduction targets in 2030 and 2035 (45% and 65%) and the risk of lower market adoption of purely zero CO₂ powertrains could persuade the industry to think again.

ISBN

978-3-9504969-3-2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62626/1nk5-48pp Copy link