Greentech Lead
U.S: Despite the growing awareness and adoption of renewable
energy, diesel fuel will remain dominant” growth fuel between now
and 2035, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the
author of the November 2012 report.
According to
IEA, globally there is possibility of only a two percent share of
natural gas in the heavy duty transport market by 2035. It also
notes that some markets such as the U.S. heavy-duty truck market
could see up to 10 percent penetration of natural gas by 2035.
The report
notes that on a global scale, alternative fuels including natural gas
and biofuels are expected to grow from two percent share today to
five percent by 2035, with diesel’s share of total road freight
energy consumption being 90 percent.
“The IEA
report findings reinforce the importance of diesel as a fuel and
technology well into the future and further highlight the potential
for continued gains in diesel energy efficiency around the globe,”
said Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel
Technology Forum.
National
Petroleum Council in its recent report had stated that diesel engines
will remain the powertrain of choice for HD vehicles for decades to
come because of their power and efficiency. The industry, however,
needs improvement in technology. Significant fuel economy
improvements in diesel powered trucks are possible. According to the
report, fuel economy (mpg) for new Class 7&8 HD vehicles, which
consume more than 70 percent of the fuel in the trucking fleet, could
be doubled.”
According to
the new IEA report, more than 60 percent of all diesel consumed
globally in road transport is consumed by trucks and diesel accounts
for more than 90 percent of the total fuel use by trucks.
Even with
assumed growth in natural gas and biofuel substitutes, diesel fuel
continues to be the dominant fuel for well into the future, according
to the IEA report.
“Often
times the conversation on energy is dominated by technologies
that mightplay a role in the future, when we should be paying
more attention to those technologies like diesel that are actually
moving our economic and transportation systems today,” Schaeffer
said. “In addition, we need to focus on how each energy
source will transform and how further improvements will play a major
role to help us achieve greater energy efficiency in the future.”
The report
notes the “technical potential” for fuel-economy gains in heavy
duty diesel trucks in the United States and Europe by as much as 50
percent by 2020. Others in industry suggest that the gains may
be less (30 percent) and take longer (2030) than the IEA forecasts.
editor@greentechlead.com