Author(s)

Jaap M. Vleugel & Frans Bal

Abstract

Regional goods delivery fulfils an essential socio-economic function, in particular, in dense urbanized areas in countries like the netherlands. shippers (producers or traders), transport service providers, businesses and private households favour road transport, because of logistic and financial reasons. Delivery and pick-up vehicles are mainly powered by internal combustion engines (ice). Ice is a major source of ambient air pollution by NO_x and PM₁₀  and of global warming (CO₂). More recent and well-maintained engines have much lower emissions of noX  and PM₁₀  than older and less well maintained ones, but their CO₂-emission has not been reduced as much. with (local) freight transport growing exponentially, these emissions are likely to rise. The aim of the paper is to estimate how a combination of logistic, technical and policy choices may reduce emissions of CO₂, NO_X  and PM₁₀. The authors follow an integrative, interdisciplinary approach, because the past has taught that alignment of decisions by companies and government is inevitable to effectively deal with the root causes of these emissions. The main research question is as follows: what is needed to reduce the key emissions by regional goods delivery? This was addressed by literature analysis and micro simulation. The latter was used to compare the emissions of diesel, CNG and electricity to power trucks and truck-vans combinations in a region to inner-city delivery scenario. CNG is currently the better option in terms of emissions for the whole trip, largely because of the dutch grey electric power mix. Replacing the city leg of the trip by vans leads to more emissions, more vehicles, higher parking needs and logistic complexity. full electric trucks and vans cut out the local air pollution, which is beneficial, but not the emissions by power plants. a green(er) electric power mix is necessary to go to zero emission regional goods delivery.

Keywords

CO2-emission, Fuel consumption, Goods delivery, Practical implications, Technology.