Lorry fuel choice
Discussion
Given diesel is not far off £1.40 a ltr and petrol more or less the same yet gas is way way way less than £1 a ltr.
Sure gas is less economical than petrol but why do they not use more gas lorrys?
Surely routes can be made specifically with a gas refuelling enroute or have gas reforming installed at the logistics HQ.
Sure gas is less economical than petrol but why do they not use more gas lorrys?
Surely routes can be made specifically with a gas refuelling enroute or have gas reforming installed at the logistics HQ.
davepoth said:
Ford dallied with Gas Turbine trucks back in the day...
Gas Turbine isn't LPG though. 
On topic, there have been a few LPG conversions offered here in the UK, from people I know that've tried them, they were utterly gutless, and not really a great deal of use in normal haulage operations.
Of course, the fuel consumption would be nowhere near as good as the diesel equivalents (which are actually very efficient for the power/weight), so the costs worked out very similar, so there was no real discernable advantage.
An lpg powered generator and electric in hub motors could provide lots of low down torque, cleaner running in towns and no diesel fumes, no weight from big gearboxes and driveshafts so more room for lpg and longer running times round towns on battery power and brake regeneration to store even more power.
Mr Happy said:
Can't diesels be modified to run on propane? Not sure of the cost vs normal derv (or it's suitability given that propane is just a little bit more um... explosive... than diesel fuel!)
They can be fitted with supplemental LPG (improves performance and lower fuel costs), still needs diesel as main source of fuel though.
Welshbeef said:
So lets say a 40 tonne artic.
What would the economy be on average for
Petrol
Diesel
Around 11.5mpg would be considered very good for a modern tractor unit with a streamlined trailer. I think some of our older work tractor units (pulling double deckers) struggle to better 9mpgWhat would the economy be on average for
Petrol
Diesel
Can't answer based on petrol.
v8will said:
Around 11.5mpg would be considered very good for a modern tractor unit with a streamlined trailer. I think some of our older work tractor units (pulling double deckers) struggle to better 9mpg
Can't answer based on petrol.
Frankly thats very impressive MPG. Can't answer based on petrol.
Ive heard of some 535d owners struggle to get better than mid 20's yet thats a 1.8 tonne car vs a payload of 40 tonnes ...
Ok
5 axle artic running at 40t trunk routes should achieve high 9's/ early 10's mpg depending on the vehicle spec.
Some HGV's can be converted to run as dual fuel, CNG/LNG + derv.
In a nutshell the vehicle runs on derv at start up, as it warms up to operating temperature the diesel is gradually substituted with the gas until you get to a maximum ratio of 60/40 gas/derv.
Advantges are gas is much cheaper than derv and is cleaner. Disadvantages are investment in infrastructure/conversion kit costs are high with a payback time beyond what some business's see as acceptable.
Risk is the price differential between derv and gas reducing. It is the next natural step for road transport efficieny, mainland europe already adopted to a far greater degree than uk.
5 axle artic running at 40t trunk routes should achieve high 9's/ early 10's mpg depending on the vehicle spec.
Some HGV's can be converted to run as dual fuel, CNG/LNG + derv.
In a nutshell the vehicle runs on derv at start up, as it warms up to operating temperature the diesel is gradually substituted with the gas until you get to a maximum ratio of 60/40 gas/derv.
Advantges are gas is much cheaper than derv and is cleaner. Disadvantages are investment in infrastructure/conversion kit costs are high with a payback time beyond what some business's see as acceptable.
Risk is the price differential between derv and gas reducing. It is the next natural step for road transport efficieny, mainland europe already adopted to a far greater degree than uk.
I took a load from Leeds to Alnwick, circa 130 miles. Cruise control set at 80kph in a 60 plate Volvo 13 litre 460hp with about 80000km's on it. There and back, although not much urban use it averaged 12.1mpg. That's very impressive.
Edit to say I was probably running around 30-35 tonne.
Edit to say I was probably running around 30-35 tonne.
Edited by philmots on Wednesday 9th November 16:06
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