Review of life cycle greenhouse gases, air pollutant emissions and costs of road medium and heavy‐duty trucks

Abstract

Abstract The desired energy transition to guarantee net‐zero greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions needs to take place in every sector of the global economy. The transport sector is responsible for a large share of energy consumption and GHGs emissions while contributing to the increase in air pollution. Although new technologies are available, the use of diesel in road transport is still predominant. These new technologies, nonetheless, still present inconsistencies in their environment, economic performances and do not necessarily provide improvements when considering the entire fuel life cycle used in medium and heavy‐duty trucks. This systematic review addresses the uncertainties in life cycle studies regarding the road transport sector fuel consumption, GHGs, and air pollutant emissions economic analyses. Results show that there are higher chances of reducing GHGs emissions through biogas or fuel‐cell hydrogen trucks, while PM 2.5 and NOx emissions have higher chances of being reduced with fuel‐cell hydrogen or natural gas trucks. There is, however, a reduced interest by the scientific community in the transport literature in dealing with air pollutants, and the focus is mainly on GHGs emissions. When it comes to economic viability, natural gas and hybrid trucks are the best substitutes. This article is categorized under: Energy and Transport > Economics and Policy Energy and Transport > Climate and Environment Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment