Truck diesel engines set for efficiency boost

Truck manufacturers and technology companies are continuing to invest in the diesel engine, that was the message coming from IAA 2016

Diesel engines will continue to be the dominant means of powering long-distance trucks thanks to continued scope to make them more efficient, industry experts have said.

Speaking at the IAA commercial vehicles show in Hanover, Germany, truck manufacturers and technology companies said they are continuing to invest in the diesel engine. Dr Johannes-Jörg Rüger, president of Bosch’s commercial vehicle division, said: “In powertrain we talk about electrification a lot, but the classical diesel powertrain is definitely not dead. Electrification is not an option for long-distance transportation.

“We are still working on measures to make the diesel powertrain more efficient. We believe over time we can save up to 10% of fuel consumption, using technology such as waste heat recovery.”

Bosch and truck maker DAF are working on electrified auxiliary systems, such as water and hydraulic pumps to further improve the diesel engine’s overall efficiency. Hybridisation could also cut the fuel consumption of trucks by up to 6%, according to Bosch.

Ron Borsboom, director of product development at DAF, said that the industry deserves more recognition: “There has been a lot of criticism about the lack of progress of trucks in terms of CO2 reduction. That is not true. Over the past 15 years we have managed to bring emissions down by over 95%. If we hadn’t invested heavily in ground-breaking technology that would have increased dramatically.”

Turbocharger technology will also help improve efficiency. Honeywell Transportation Systems demonstrated technology developed from the firm’s aerospace business, such as ball bearing applications for faster transient response and reduced fuel consumption.

Meanwhile, power management company Eaton displayed its waste heat recovery concepts, including an indirect or organic Rankine cycle system.