Cutting fuel consumption, costs and emissions in Australia- a Case Study.

Emissions legislation updated in 2023, requires Australia’s largest businesses to reduce carbon emissions by at least 4.9% per annum every year through to 2030.

Given the long distances travelled in Australia, transport represents 22% of the country’s carbon emissions, and as such transport businesses need to act.

Encouraged by the positive results achieved using EPC+ internationally, GreenTECH Fuel approached TotalEnergies to secure the distribution rights for the product viewing it as one of the few solutions available delivering a positive net return. 

SCOPE OF WORK

Impressed by the data provided by TotalEnergies, one of Australia’s largest transport businesses sought to replicate the finding from ionternational testing of EPC+ - which showed average fleet savings between 2% and 5%.  Over 3 months in 2023, the company blended EPC+ with the standard diesel fuelling 7 heavy vehicles operating from one of its depots – with the aim of confirming savings.

OBJECTIVES

Despite being available in Europe since 2005, EPC+ only became available in Australia in 2023. A feature of the Australian market is a reluctance to embrace international data, in favour of trailing products in local conditions and equipment. Australia is well known for some of the most extreme conditions on planet earth and the need for equipment that suits the unique operating environment.

The objective of the trial was therefore to verify the reduction in diesel consumption and emissions, and more broadly confirm the net positive return offered by EPC+ in Australian conditions.

THE PRODUCT

Worldwide trials have demonstrated that EPC+ when blended with standard diesel, delivers:

o   2% to 5% reduction in diesel consumption.

o   2% to 5% reduction in carbon emissions.

o   20% and 60% reduction in diesel particulate matter.

o   97% reduction in fuel injector fouling.

o   30% and 60% increase in fuel injector life.

o   4% and 10% reduction in AdBlue costs.​

THE TRIAL

Stage one of the trial involved - monitoring the standard mineral diesel consumption of 7 heavy vehicles to set a baseline.

Stage two of the trial involved monitoring the same seven vehicles using standard mineral diesel blended – manually – with EPC+ dosed at the rate of 700 ppm. (700ml / 1000 L)

Stage three of the trial involved analysing the baseline and test data in detail, first by experts associated with GreenTECH Fuel and the by TotalEnergies.

The vehicles in the trial included 7 x Road Trains pulled by Volvo FH16 8x4 Prime Movers

RESULTS

The results of the trial can be summarised as follows.

·         Solid fuel economy benefits, contributing to company profitability.

·         International data validated in local conditions and equipment.

·         Simple, risk free integration of EPC+ into fleet operations.

·         Emissions savings facilitating compliance and reduction requirements for both the transport company and their customer.

Confirmed by the transport company, GreenTECH Fuel and TotalEnergies, the findings confirmed a fleet average saving of 4.1% reduction in diesel consumption was achieved, and therefore costs and emissions over the period of the trial.

NET RETURN

After accounting for the cost of the EPC+, the net return to the transport company dosing manually over the eight weeks of the trial with consideration to diesel cost at the time, was approximately 2.9% - and that is before accounting for emissions savings, reduced AdBlue consumption or lower maintenance costs.

In addition to the transport company achieved highly desirable outcomes - confirming the international data, GreenTECH Fuel was able to gather the data required to develop an automated blending kit – BK1 - for customers. The BK1 has a projected payback period of less than six months, based on diesel consumption and price.

BENEFITS

The benefits included:

·         4.1% fleet average reduction in diesel costs and emissions using EPC+

·         300% projected net return on investment over 12 months.

CHALLENGES OVERCOME

The transport company undertaking the trial was concerned that the results from trials overseas would not be replicated in Australia due to unique conditions, equipment and other unknown factors. The results indicated however that the results in Australia were at the higher end of the trial results achieved in TotalEnergies worldwide trials.

CONTACT Steve Wilkinson on 0481 055 383 or email steve@greentechfuel.com.au