Designing Programs To Reduce Emissions And Costs
Here are 6 ways the industry can reduce carbon emissions and costs.
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Improve powertrain efficiency
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Low-emission and electric engines
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Aerodynamic retrofits
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Low-rolling-resistance tires
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Reduced idle time and lightweight materials
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Fewer carbon fuels
Business and government sectors are focused on smart mobility, smart energy grids and electrification, with a specific focus on logistics. Several key themes include:
Traffic Management
- Traffic management and optimization facilitated through connected smart sensors, location-based applications, intelligent infrastructure and IoT swarm algorithms all working together to make traffic, driving, loading/unloading, and parking more efficient.
- Exhaust-related and uninterrupted tolls can reduce emissions, as can smart truck parking. IoT connected, clean electric vehicles mean connecting people, infrastructure, and intermediaries with low-to-no carbon emissions. For example, mobile apps and data distribution can enable truck-sharing and smart automation platforms to help organize trans-shipment processes for carbon-neutral distribution services.
Route Optimization
- Real-time information and data sharing can also influence carrier route choice and driver behavior towards lower-carbon options. Connecting vehicles, products, and freight cargo information improve route and fuel optimization while reducing carbon waste in the system.
Public And Private Sectors Must Collaborate
At the core of any urban freight transport decarbonization initiative are four things:
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Cooperation
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Functioning business models
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Innovative around procurement and regulation
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Low-emission and electric vehicles
Any changes directed to decarbonization must involve both the public and private industry sectors. The core focus of modern-day research looks at creating business models for urban freight solutions. The public authority plays a vital role in creating the right framework, access, and conditions for a higher level of sustainability.
Current electrification efforts and electric truck batteries used to power alternative fuel vehicles are gaining on long range utilization.
These carbon-related challenges in logistics can also be opportunities for tech or other start-ups, NGOs, and new government divisions. Current electrification efforts and electric truck batteries used to power alternative fuel vehicles are gaining on long range utilization. Tesla and other OEMs are investing in viable electric trucks. Some companies are also looking for alternatives by rail or waterways, avoiding the transport of goods by road altogether. Smaller range operations are fertile ground for the adoption of electric vehicles, as city emission regulations push delivery companies to convert much of their fleet to electric vehicles.
The US government continues to implement plans to accelerate and deploy electric vehicles and charging stations. A combination of grant and incentive programs for state and local governments and the private sector support a transformational acceleration in the deployment of chargers.
City governments could take a page from Amazon’s playbook and set central lockers for efficient, theft-proof deliveries. Many brands, merchants, and couriers can drop packages in these self-service safes for customers to pick up at their convenience. There is no reason for these parcel stores to be stationary. They could become autonomous mobile robots that transport multiple packages to a specific neighborhood or destination, such as a college or university.
Technology: A Powerful Ally To Combat GHG
Although diesel vans dominate the parcel delivery market, they diversified in recent years with a range of modes and services emerging. These include electric vehicles, drones, autonomous vehicles and delivery bots, parcel lockers, and drop-off points. The market has also adopted walking, cycling, and light-powered delivery solutions, such as cargo bikes, e-cargo bikes, electric scooters, e-walkers, and e-micro vehicles.
By combining integrated deep data analytics, customized EV, and sustainable engineering, businesses can start adopting e-mobility models that address the environmental challenge while reducing costs and optimizing their last-mile operations.