The road to cleaner, more efficient public transport

It is estimated we could see a doubling of global energy demand in the first half of this century. This is set against increasing pressure on cities and high-density urban areas to reduce congestion and improve air quality. At the same time, the EU is striving to meet targets to gain 20% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. With innovative solutions to help use less and emit less, the public transport sector can play a significant role in addressing the global energy challenge.

A number of new transport technologies are emerging. Hydrogen and electric vehicles will play a significant role in the future transport energy mix. But these technologies face a number of technical and commercial challenges in the near-term.

Synthetic engine oils can also help enhance engine protection, extend drain intervals and reduce fuel use by reducing frictional losses.

The internal combustion engine will therefore continue to play an important role and we expect it to power up to two-thirds of vehicles in 2050. So it is important to recognise the improvements that can be made to liquid fuels today. This includes blending in higher volumes of sustainable biofuels. It also includes improving and adapting existing fuel technologies.

Fuel technology is a particularly exciting area of innovation which can deliver tangible efficiency and emission-reduction benefits. Advanced diesel fuel and lubricant products have been formulated to enhance fuel economy and improve engine efficiency (1). These fuels have now been launched in many countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas, with further launches planned this year. Synthetic engine oils can also help enhance engine protection, extend drain intervals and reduce fuel use by reducing frictional losses.

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel can help reduce local emissions (including nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and soot) and contribute to better air quality, particularly in high population urban areas. It can be used in both new and older heavy-duty vehicles, without modifications to the fleet or additional infrastructure investment. At Shell, we are now in the process of starting up the world’s largest plant – the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar – to turn natural gas into cleaner-burning fuels.

Gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel can help reduce local emissions (including nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and soot) and contribute to better air quality, particularly in high population urban areas.

Alongside these cutting edge technologies, it is important to be smart about usage too, which is why we have been working to develop advanced fuel management systems for commercial transport vehicles (2).

Public sector operators will inevitably feel the full weight of the global energy challenge. While biofuels, electrification or other alternatives are likely to form part of the future, these could be some way off. Steps need to be taken now to meet demand for mobility and stringent emissions regulations in the near term. Our GTL fuel technology is available to do this and can be implemented without any changes to the existing fleet. And if we start today, we can reduce the size of the challenge tomorrow.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Automotive World Ltd.

James Humfrey is Shell’s General Manager GTL

For more information on Shell GTL click here: Shell Pearl GTL.

(1) Shell FuelSave Diesel contains an advanced fuel economy formula and is designed to help transport companies save fuel by up to 3%*, improve engine efficiency and reduce their fuel-related carbon footprint. (*Over the lifetime of the vehicle. Compared to regular diesel without fuel economy formula. Savings may vary per truck/vehicle.) http://www.shell.com/home/content/commercial_fuels/