Light Commercial Vehicles Research Articles

Assessing Urban Freight Tours: A Machine Learning and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Approach for Logistics Management

ABSTRACTThe main aim of this study is to assess urban freight tours through integrating machine learning with the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). The research captures supply chain operations using the Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR) model with real‐time data from surveys and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking. These predictions were analysed using LCSA to assess the sustainability impacts of Hydrogen Fuel Light Commercial Vehicles (HFLCVs) and Electric Light Commercial Vehicles (ELCVs) compared to traditional fuel‐based vehicles. HFLCVs show remarkable reductions in ecosystem and health damage by 58% and 61%, indicating substantial environmental and health benefits. Findings suggest that strategic investment in hydrogen‐fuel and electric LCVs can significantly decrease operational costs and environmental impacts, making them crucial for advancing sustainable urban logistics. This research highlights the benefits and possibilities of using an integrated data‐driven approach to achieve urban sustainability, thus creating an urgency to shift policies favouring green urban freight systems.

Electrification of Light commercial vehicles in Urban Areas

Electrification of Light commercial vehicles in Urban Areas

Exploring Hydrogen–Diesel Dual Fuel Combustion in a Light-Duty Engine: A Numerical Investigation

Dual fuel combustion has gained attention as a cost-effective solution for reducing the pollutant emissions of internal combustion engines. The typical approach is combining a conventional high-reactivity fossil fuel (diesel fuel) with a sustainable low-reactivity fuel, such as bio-methane, ethanol, or green hydrogen. The last one is particularly interesting, as in theory it produces only water and NOx when it burns. However, integrating hydrogen into stock diesel engines is far from trivial due to a number of theoretical and practical challenges, mainly related to the control of combustion at different loads and speeds. The use of 3D-CFD simulation, supported by experimental data, appears to be the most effective way to address these issues. This study investigates the hydrogen-diesel dual fuel concept implemented with minimum modifications in a light-duty diesel engine (2.8 L, 4-cylinder, direct injection with common rail), considering two operating points representing typical partial and full load conditions for a light commercial vehicle or an industrial engine. The numerical analysis explores the effects of progressively replacing diesel fuel with hydrogen, up to 80% of the total energy input. The goal is to assess how this substitution affects engine performance and combustion characteristics. The results show that a moderate hydrogen substitution improves brake thermal efficiency, while higher substitution rates present quite a severe challenge. To address these issues, the diesel fuel injection strategy is optimized under dual fuel operation. The research findings are promising, but they also indicate that further investigations are needed at high hydrogen substitution rates in order to exploit the potential of the concept.

Comparative analysis of powertrain architectures for fuel cell light commercial vehicles in terms of performance and durability

At the present time, the critical climate situation has raised awareness about the importance of developing carbon-free technologies. In this context, fuel cell systems (FCS) have become one of the key technologies in the pathway to decarbonization. Given that road transport is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this paper focuses on a specific segment of this sector: light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The current market situation shows that LCV manufacturers have not yet decided what is the appropriate powertrain architecture for this kind of vehicle. Thus, the current paper studies a wide range of possible FCS-based propulsive system designs, changing the size of the FCS, electric battery and H2 tank. These propulsive system architectures are analyzed concerning the performance of the vehicle, in terms of consumption and range, and the durability of its FCS. The evaluation of these different designs will be highly valuable for the LCV industry and manufacturers, as it allows to understand the optimal powertrain solution. The study demonstrates that a significant increase in range can be achieved with only a minor penalty in hydrogen consumption. Additionally, the research indicates that it is feasible to employ one of the most durable FCS designs while meeting LCV mission requirements with minimal consumption penalty. In conclusion, this paper provides valuable data to the ongoing research in this field, offering a detailed analysis of the impact of H2 consumption, autonomy, and durability of the FCS across various vehicle architectures under typical LCV driving conditions.

Assessment of the Impact of the Operation of Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) on their Failure Rate and Transport Safety

Assessment of the Impact of the Operation of Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) on their Failure Rate and Transport Safety

Techno-Economic Comparison of Total Cost Ownership of Electric and Combustion Light Commercial Vehicles

Objective: This study aims to investigate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of an Electric Vehicle (EV) and a Combustion Vehicle (CV) to determine the economic viability of the EV. Theoretical Framework: Net Present Value (NPV) is used to evaluate costs over a 10-year timeframe, considering purchase prices, insurance, maintenance costs, fixed-term deposit rates, and road taxes. Method: Two similar commercial light vehicles (Renault Kangoo and Renault Kangoo ZE) are compared using a financial analysis based on NPV. Results and Discussion: The electric version of the vehicle (Renault Kangoo ZE) proves to be economically attractive, especially with intensive use. Research Implications: The results suggest that, with intensive use, electric vehicles can be a financially viable option, which could encourage their widespread adoption in the future. Originality/Value: The value of the study lies in its detailed financial approach to comparing the TCO between an EV and an equivalent combustion vehicle. This analysis allows for the evaluation of the economic viability of electric vehicles, providing a solid basis for decisions on their widespread adoption.

The use of sound phonons in the development of NVH treatments for light commercial electric vehicles

Light Commercial Electric vehicles (LCEV) are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and lower operating costs, making them a sustainable choice for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save fuel expenses. However, unlike Saloon and SUV electric vehicles LCEV's have to be potentially configured for a wide variety of operating roles including parcel delivery, mini-buses, retail wagons, ambulances and mobile workshops to name just a few. Consequently, when considering their refinement aspects during their development it has become economically restrictive to base this on actual physical prototypes. Acoustic modelling provides a suitable alternative, but any software package must be highly flexible so that multiple configurations can be examined without requiring time consuming re-modelling. This paper describes the use of sound phonons in an interactive GUI for the successful development process of an LCEV from target setting through to final optimised NVH package creation. The project involved full vehicle model creation via donor CAD, of a current ICE LCV, which was morphed into an EV to include an under-floor battery and rear drive system. Sub-system models of areas such as the interior bulkhead, battery pack insulation and EV encapsulation were also integrated during the optimisation process.

Pass-by noise regulation - Uncertainties reduction thanks to tire sound emission modelling

The UN regulation R51-03 on vehicle sound emissions enters its third phase in July 2024, with the challenging level of 68 dB(A) to achieve for most of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The Lurban indicator, as calculated in the regulation, is a weighted average of acceleration and constant rolling speed tests. Thus, the tire sound emissions represent by far the first contributor to the vehicle compliance. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how tire sound changes under the effects of speed, acceleration, or temperature. In this paper, a study on tire sound behavior is presented. It is based on repeated measurements of pass-by sound emissions of a set of tires, under various conditions of speed, acceleration, and ambient temperature. Among a huge variety of tire sound emission models, a regression algorithm is used to identify the model that fits the best to the measured tire sound emissions data. This tire sound emission model is then used to foresee the impacts of Regulation R51-03 updates, aiming at reducing the uncertainties induced by temperature and test track discrepancies, by correcting the tire sound contribution. The effects of this correction on the uncertainties can be anticipated by the model.

Analysis of glass fiber-reinforced composite leaf springs in a light commercial vehicle

Leaf springs are designed to bear loads as well as shocks in automotive vehicles. Two leaves of glass fiber-reinforced composites (GFRCs) of various shapes sandwiched between steel plates were analyzed for application in a minitruck. Computer-aided engineering analysis was performed for five different types of GFRC material leaf springs: flat leaf, flat and parabolic leaf, both parabolic leaf, both parabolic leaf springs with aluminium alloy bushes at the eye-end and spring steel multi-leaf springs. A silencer pad was used in the parabolic leaf spring to reduce delamination and vibration at contact points of the mating leaf. The various shapes and combinations of leaves provided varying parameters, namely, the deformation, maximum equivalent strain, maximum equivalent stress and fatigue life. The CAE results showed that compared with the other combinations, the flat leaf and parabolic leaf combinations provided the maximum equivalent strain, maximum equivalent stress and fatigue life.

Influence of Performance Packages on Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Emissions of Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles under WLTP

The transportation sector is responsible for about 16% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Despite efforts for a sensible reduction by means of new technologies’ development, the average age of a vehicle fleet is 12.3 years in the European Union. In light of this, actions aiming at improving the efficiency of circulating vehicles can prove effective in the short to mid-term. Introducing performance packages in standard fuels could allow a reduction in the CO2 emissions of whole vehicle fleets without any modification to powertrain. Such a kind of additive is generally used in premium fuels; deposit control additives can reduce or control the deposits at intake valves and at nozzle holes with benefits for the fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions. Further improvements in combustion phasing can be achieved with cetane/octane improver. This paper aims to assess the influence of two performance packages on the exhaust emissions and fuel consumption of five vehicles set to be as representative as possible of circulating Italian passenger cars and light commercial fleet vehicles (LCVs). Based on the literature datasets, three Euro 4 vehicles were selected with a mileage representative of each single vehicle class: two passenger cars (one spark ignition and one diesel) and an LCV. Further, two diesel Euro 6 vehicles, a passenger car and an LCV, were tested to investigate the effect of fuel additives on the combustion of vehicles compliant with current homologation regulation. Exhaust emissions and fuel consumption were experimentally estimated on a chassis dynamometer over a worldwide harmonized light vehicles test cycle (WLTC) in a climate-controlled laboratory. Each vehicle was preliminarily tested when running with base fuel, then a 3000 km clean-up stage was performed using the additive package. Finally, WLTC tests were repeated. Results demonstrated the efficiency of the performance packages with a reduction between 1.2% (diesel Euro 6 passenger car) and 8.1% (diesel Euro 4 passenger car) in fuel consumption. Similar trends were found for CO2 emissions. Further, a sensible reduction in THCs, CO and PM was found for each vehicle class.

БОРТОВОЙ МОНИТОРИНГ ВЫБРОСОВ ОПАСНЫХ (ЗАГРЯЗНЯЮЩИХ) ВЕЩЕСТВ ЛЕГКОВЫМ И ЛЕГКИМ КОММЕРЧЕСКИМ АВТОТРАНСПОРТОМ

The paper describes the results of the experimental study of emission rates of passenger gasoline and diesel passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as a function of average speed from 5 to 50 km/h and accumulated mileage. It has been shown that the emissions of most modern vehicles with the mileage exceeding 100 000 km, regardless the initial environmental class, are quite of the same range as the emissions of vehicles without catalyst. It has been also confirmed that the highest emission rates are observed at speeds from 5 to 20 km/h, typical for traffic congestion, and the minimum emission rates are observed at speeds from 25 to 50 km/h.

Ecological Costs of A Microbrewery in The Brazilian Northeast

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the environmental and economic impacts of craft beer production in the Brazilian Northeast, to evidence the main hotspots and propose mitigation alternatives. Theoretical Framework: Life Cycle Thinking proposes a way of thinking that aggregates systems and preserves their interrelationships, to understand the whole of production systems and identify critical points in their subsystems, processes and flows. Here, environmental analysis was carried out through Life Cycle Assessment and economic analysis through Life Cycle Cost Assessment and Ecological Costs. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes the use of Life Cycle Assessment to quantify environmental emissions, and Life Cycle Cost Assessment and Ecological Costs to quantify economic impacts in a microbrewery located in the Northeast of Brazil. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires with those responsible for specific sectors of the brewery. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the main environmental hotspot was the local and regional distribution of beer using a gasoline-powered light commercial vehicle. In terms of economics, beer packaged in stainless steel kegs had the lowest cost and beer in aluminum cans had the highest manufacturing cost. When environmental costs were taken into account, beer packaged in a PET growler obtained the best result and beer packaged in a stainless-steel keg obtained the worst economic result. With the implementation of electric vehicle distribution, in addition to the environmental benefits, there were also economic benefits, especially in terms of environmental costs (ecocosts). Research Implications: The practical implications of this research have shown that the use of electric vehicles to distribute the final product (beer) can mitigate environmental emissions, bringing environmental and economic benefits to the company studied. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by being the first Brazilian study to quantify the environmental and economic impacts of craft beer production and distribution. The relevance and value of this research is evidenced by the fact that it proposes tangible solutions to the hotspots identified.

Sustainable propulsion technology selection in penultimate mile delivery using the FullEX-AROMAN method

Sustainable transport is the priority for future cities and society. It is necessary to make sustainable urban transport policies to mitigate the harmful effects of current transportation systems. One of the essential issues in making cities cleaner is the propulsion technology of light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Most of the LCVs are compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel-powered. However, cleaner, sustainable power sources, such as hydrogen, hybrid, solar, and electric have appeared in the market. This paper addresses the selection of propulsion technology for LCVs up to 3.5 tones for the Czech Post vehicle fleet. In this study, three main pillars are considered: economic, socio-environmental, and technical. Czech Post currently uses CNG-powered vehicles to transport shipments in penultimate mile delivery. The integrated FullEX-alternative ranking order method accounting for the two-step normalization (AROMAN) approach selects the best sustainable propulsion technology for the Czech Post vehicle fleet. The FullEX method identifies the criteria weights, while the AROMAN method ranks propulsion technologies. The results of the integrated approach reveal that the best propulsion technology for penultimate mile delivery is electrically powered, followed by hydrogen, hybrid, and CNG. A comparative analysis with other multi-criteria decision-making methods is also performed. The results confirm that the electrically powered solution is the best. The sensitivity analysis is carried out. The FullEX-AROMAN shows high resilience.

Impact of electric and clean-fuel vehicles on future PM2.5 and ozone pollution over Delhi

We investigate the impact of adoption of electric vehicles and cleaner fuels on future surface levels of PM2.5 and ozone over Delhi for two contrasting seasons, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. We run the WRF-Chem atmospheric transport model at high resolution (4 km) with two transport emission scenarios for year 2030: (1) a scenario with electrification of two- and three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles, and (2) a scenario which also includes conversion of diesel vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG). Compared to the baseline values in 2019, the scenario with both electrification and conversion of diesel vehicles to CNG has a greater reduction in PM2.5 concentrations (up to 5%) than the electrification of two- and three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles alone (within 1%), mainly due to the the greater reduction in primary emissions of PM2.5 and black carbon from diesel conversion to CNG. Vehicles electrification could result in an increase in the daily maximum 8-hours ozone concentrations, which are partially offset by additionally converting to CNG—by −1.9% and +2.4% during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. This reflects higher NOx emissions from the CNG vehicle scenario compared to electrification-alone scenario, which limits the increase of surface ozone in the VOC-limited chemical environment over Delhi. Our findings highlight the importance of a coordinated strategy for PM2.5 and ozone when considering traffic emission controls, and highlight that the transition to electric vehicles should be accompanied by the conversion of diesel vehicles to CNG to limit surface ozone increase and achieve greater reduction in PM2.5 concentrations over Delhi. However, the small changes in PM2.5 and in ozone compared to the baseline scenario highlight the importance of joint emissions reduction from other sectors to achieve substantial progress in PM2.5 and ozone air quality in Delhi.

Niemcy wobec reformy polityki klimatycznej Unii Europejskiej (Europejski Zielony Ład, pakiet Fit for 55)

GERMANY TOWARDS THE REFORM OF THE EUROPEAN UNION’S CLIMATE POLICY (EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL, FIT FOR 55 PACKAGE) The aim of the paper is to present Germany’s position during the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU/CSU/SPD coalition: 2018-2021) and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD/Alliance 90/Greens/FDP coalition: from 2021) towards changes in climate policy (understood as reform) introduced by the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package of legislative proposals, with particular emphasis on the issue of CO2 emission standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles. Germany’s support for increasing the level of ambition in the field of climate protection in the EU was largely the result of the belief that the success of the German transformation of the energy sector and achieving climate neutrality by 2045 also depends on the progress of the energy transformation process and the climate neutrality policy in the European Union.

Finite element analysis study: Topology optimization for the front lower arm with innovative double and complex phase materials

Suspension systems used in vehicles are an important factor affecting comfort, safety, and vehicle performance. These systems are effective in the vehicle's total weight and fuel consumption. However, while lightening the weight, it should also be ensured that the strength is within safe limits. For this purpose, dual-phase (DP) and complex-phase (CP) steel materials were used. In the study, the topology optimization of the front lower suspension arm, designed for a light commercial vehicle, was carried out with the finite element method. As a result of the topology optimization, the weight was reduced by 7.5% compared to the current design, while maintaining the safe strength values. This result will significantly contribute to reducing material costs by using dual-phase (DP) and complex-phase (CP) steel materials, reducing exhaust emissions by lightening vehicle weight, and developing more sustainable designs.

Determination of Motorcycle Equivalent Unit and Road Capacity: A Case Study of Selected Road Sections of Kathmandu Valley

The research focused on road congestion in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, caused by the prevalence of small motorized vehicles, especially motorcycles. The objective of the study was to quantify the impact of different vehicle classes on congestion by calculating Motorcycle Equivalent Units (MEU) and determining roadway capacity using speed and effective space parameters. The field data collected over two locations in Kathmandu Valley were analyzed using Speed Estimation from Video Data (SEV) software that revealed a strong correlation between vehicle speed and effective space, represented by a quadratic non-linear model. MEU values were determined for different vehicle classes, and fundamental speed-flow-density relationships were used to calculate roadway capacity. Vehicles like motorcycles, standard cars, big cars, utility, minibusses, buses, light commercial vehicles, two/three-axle trucks, and multi-axle trucks had MEU values of 1, 3.32, 4.91, 4.65, 9.22, 12.22, 6.72, 13.57 and 18.04 respectively. The study indicated peak capacities during the evening hours on specific road sections. For instance, the Gatthaghar-Kaushaltar and Balkumari-Gwarko sections reached their maximum capacities at 12,335 and 20,589 (motorcycles per hour per direction), respectively. The study emphasized the significant influence of speed on effective space and roadway capacity, suggesting further exploration of additional factors like driver characteristics, gender, age, income, road geometry, and level of service using MEU, along with the potential for developing a motorcycle simulation model in Kathmandu valley.

Challenges and Solutions to Meet the Euro 7 NOx Emission Requirements for Diesel Light-Duty Commercial Vehicles

The improvement of air quality requires a further reduction of pollutant emissions, especially in urban areas. The Euro 7 regulations aim at the development of a new generation of internal combustion engine vehicles capable of achieving ultra-low pollutant emissions under demanding, real-world operating conditions. They introduce new technical challenges in the holistic design of a vehicle’s powertrain and emission control system. To identify these, four real-world Euro 7 driving scenarios are investigated, covering demanding urban, highway and mountain driving situations. Technical solutions are then presented to address these challenges and ensure compliance with the Euro 7 emission requirements as set out in the latest regulation proposal of the European Commission. The study focuses on the NOx emissions of an N1 Class III light commercial vehicle with 3.5 t mass and a P2 diesel mild-hybrid powertrain. To ensure emission compliance, a Euro 6e exhaust gas aftertreatment system with enlarged catalysts is combined with NOx raw emission improvements. For low-load cold starts, a 4-kW electric heater in the exhaust system is considered in addition to a 2-l DOC and a 6-l DPF with SCR coating. For high-load cycles with high raw emissions, a 10-l underfloor SCR is considered to ensure the necessary deNOx performance.

Weighing Technology for Laden and Unladen Light Commercial Vehicles

Weighing Technology for Laden and Unladen Light Commercial Vehicles

Driving Profiles of Light Commercial Vehicles of Craftsmen and the Potential of Battery Electric Vehicles When Charging on Company Premises

This paper examines the extent to which it is possible to replace conventional light commercial vehicles in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning and plumbing trade with battery electric vehicles with an unchanged usage profile. GPS trackers are used to record the position data of 22 craft vehicles with combustion engines from eleven companies over the duration of one working week. Within this paper, various assumptions (battery capacity and average consumption) are made for battery electric vehicles and the charging power on the company premises. The potential of battery electric vehicles is evaluated based on the assumption that they are charged only on company premises. Using the collected data and the assumptions made, theoretical state of charge curves are calculated for the vehicles. The driving profiles of the individual vehicles differ greatly, and the suitability of battery electric vehicles should be considered individually. Battery capacity, vehicle energy consumption and charging power at the company have a substantial influence on the suitability of battery electric vehicles. Furthermore, there are differences between vehicles that can charge on the company premises at night and those that cannot or can only do so on some days.