Fuel efficiency standard lead to lower global oil prices

A new study commissioned by the European Federation for Transport and the Environment has suggested that current thinking about the fuel consumption of vehicles has left out an important element. Specifically the impact of fuel efficiency standards on the price of oil. The report could change the way governments, politicians and the EU views the pricing of transport.

The report, published by the energy consultancy Enerdata, suggests that the European fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles (effective 2012) will lead to lower global oil prices. The report proposes that for every 1% reduction in global oil consumption, the price of oil actually drops by up to 2%.

How this differs from current thinking is that economic assessments of energy efficiency measures normally use fixed oil prices when accounting for economic benefits. By working out that the price of oil will fall when the EU’s mandatory fuel consumption legislation takes effect, it means the economic benefits of fuel efficiency measures have been underestimated, typically by up to 17%.

Managing Director of Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd, Mr Robin Futcher commented, “whilst everyone welcomes any form of saving with regards to fuel expenses, both the government and the industry need to observe the need to remain as fuel efficient as possible,” he continued, “It is in everyone’s interest to operate more efficiently. Hopefully in the future governments will reward fuel efficiency rather than simply impose increased fuel taxes in an effort to reduce consumption. We need to see more incentives and less penalties, it is easy to respond negatively to changes of this nature but I think everyone would react differently if they could see something worthwhile in it for them.”

more information is available from Enerdata http://www.enerdata.fr/enerdatauk/

Elaflex appoint OPW to distribute AdBlue Nozzle

Elaflex GmbH based in Hamburg Germany have reached an agreement with OPW Fuelling components to distribute their market leading ZVA AdBlue nozzle.

The nozzle features a unique shut off feature which prevents the diesel tank from being cross filled with DEF (diesel emissions fluid).

Rahul Deshmukh, General Manager of OPW commented “This is a perfectly synergistic relationship for us,” he continued, “OPW Fueling Components is the market leader and has the strongest channel in the United States and Canada, while ELAFLEX nozzles are the de facto standard for DEF users in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) countries. This agreement gives OPW the ability to bring a world-class technology to its U.S. and Canadian channel partners and end-users, while also allowing us to leverage ELAFLEX’s strong relationships with DEF truck and OEM manufacturers in the EMEA.”

Customers should be aware however that the nozzle requires a special filler neck to be fitted to the AdBlue tank on board the vehicle to ensure correct operation.

The ZVA AdBlue nozzle is available to buy across Europe and in the UK from several outlets including, Air1, Centre Tank Services Ltd, Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd and Elaflex UK Ltd. Models are also available suitable for fuel transfer

More details can be found on the product here: http://handling-adblue.co.uk/equipment/nozzles.htm

Euro 6 Deadline Called Forward

Earlier this year, the European Parliament casted a vote challenging whether the revised Euro 6 standard should be implemented ahead of schedule. Previously this deadline for compliance had been pushed back to accommodate global economic changes.

The turnaround means that vehicle manufacturers will now need to comply before the end of 2012. At present the only way to meet the Euro 6 emission standards (80% reduction in NOx to 0.4 g/kWh) is by adopting SCR (AdBlue) technology, a devastating blow to firms who have previously backed rival EGR technology.

Even pro-EGR manufacturers like MAN have had to revise policy statements and admit that in order to reach to Euro 6 standards a small SCR unit will be required on all HGV vehicles.

Gunter Verheugen, the European Commission Vice President, welcomed the change, "Today's agreement of the European Parliament is a good message for the environment. Soon we will have cleaner trucks and buses, which will be trend-setters worldwide."

California to vote on diesel engine exhaust retrofits

On December 11th California will be voting on bringing in new regulations to phase in diesel engine exhaust retrofits for 2010 followed by engine replacement in 2012.

In a move to reduce engine emissions, any truck that operates within the state borders and weighs over 14,000 lbs/6,350 kgs will be required to have particulate filters fitted.  Fleets with 3 or less trucks will be exempt from the regulations until 2012 when the phase in plan will require at least one of the trucks to be newer than 2004 or have an exhaust retrofit.

The exhaust retrofit particulate filers are expected to cost firms $10,000 to $12,000 each (roughly £6,700 to £8,000).  Penalties for non-compliance will be $1,000 to $10,000 per day.

New SCR Urea Sensor

Mitsui Mining & Smelting and Gentech are joining forces to produce an SCR Urea sensor that will detect urea concentration and an in-tank level indicator.

Mitsui will incorporate their Senfoa® urea quality sensor with Gentech’s integrated fluid level sensor to produce the sensor which will improve safety and prevent accidental misuse.

Handheld AdBlue Concentration Testing

A new sensor has been developed for testing concentrations of urea in AdBlue, although the quality of AdBlue (consisting of 32% urea in deionised water) should be correct when leaving the production facility things can go wrong before it ends up in the vehicle tank, sometimes with disastrous results for the SCR.  This simple testing device would eliminate that and could potentially save firms thousands of pounds if levels were incorrect.

The Japanese manufactured digital refractometer measures the Urea concentration within 3 seconds and has a measuring range of 0.0~40.0% Urea and within ±0.2% accuracy.

The size of a small mobile phone the instrument is sturdy and water resistant (IP65), the simple operation makes it very suitable for use in the field.

The AdBlue refractometer is available from Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd, more information on how the sensor can save your fleet money is available from www.adblueonline.co.uk

The Show must go on!

Despite eight of the major manufacturers pulling out of next year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, organisers have assured the show will go on and be a success.

Iveco, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Volvo, Scania, Isuzu and DAF have all announced that they will not be exhibiting at the show next year.  DAF trucks have also pulled out of the European Road Transport Show in Amsterdam next year.