Most people agree that road transport needs to become more sustainable. But what does this mean in practical terms? And how should this impact lubricant selection?
In recent years, there has been a flurry of pure electric (battery-powered) truck launches from mainstream manufacturers including DAF Trucks, Daimler, Volvo Group, Renault Trucks and MAN. Their arrival has coincided with a growing number of local authority introductions of ultra-low and zero emission zones (ULEZ) across Europe.
Modern diesel engines are now designed for lower emissions
Diesel engines meeting Euro VI emissions limits have exceptionally low emissions of oxide of nitrogen (NOx) and particulates, and are therefore exempt from most of these localised ULEZ bans.
Truck fleet operators with these vehicles usually find that using driveline is most efficient and most suitable for their operations. Low-friction oils that can achieve lower fuel consumption, such as Delo 600, are now being specified for Euro VI engines, and these provide the durability and wear protection they need. They can also be used in engines running on natural gas, HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) and other biofuels, helping businesses to reach their sustainability targets.
A turning point in new regulations
The first EU regulation on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from heavy commercial vehicles is likely to heavily influence the European truck market. The regulation requires an average 15% cut of CO2 emissions from trucks between 2019 and 2025, and a further cut between 2025 and 2030 to achieve a total 30% cut compared to 2019.
The figure is based on a computer program called VECTO (Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool), which is being used by truck makers to calculate and certify CO2 emission figures (and in effect, fuel consumption values) for individual models. Regulators hope to lean on this technology to encourage truck buyers to specify vehicles with the lowest possible CO2 emissions.
It will be interesting to see how these developments affect the market in the coming years.
Making positive steps today
Given great technological advances and new regulations on the horizon, we know that lots of manufacturers and fleet managers are looking to take steps to achieve sustainability targets now. There is a drive to adopt lower viscosity lubricants and coolants to help reduce fuel consumption, but these should be balanced with ensuring proper drivetrain protection.
By choosing lubricants and coolants with the right quality and performance for their models, fleet managers can help ensure better fuel economy, while protecting their vehicles and reducing service intervals.
Delo 600 comes highly recommended for its low-friction and high-performance formula. You can find out more about using Delo 600 here. And for our experts’ help in choosing the right lubricant for your vehicles, get in touch with our team.