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By Dylana Kneeshaw

FUEL EFFICIENT TRUCKING

Trucking industry looking towards greener pastures, with fuel efficient technology in its future

Sep 29, 2019 | 2:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — Alongside a growing number of electric and non-gas dependent vehicles on the market, BC’s trucking industry is taking steps toward implementing greener, more fuel efficient technology.

While speaking in Kamloops earlier this week, President and CEO of the BC Trucking Association (BCTA), Dave Earle says the BCTA has been working with the provincial government to find ways to have the industry adopt more environmentally conscious technologies.

“There is nobody who wants to be more fuel efficient than a motor carrier, and to explore other opportunities,” Earle says, “We’re just really excited to have a partner with the government to be able to start going down that road.”

Taking the example of how many BC Transit buses have transitioned to a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) format, Earle says there is not one solution in moving over from traditional diesel fuel use.

“Compressed Natural Gas works for some applications, not others. We have electric vehicles that are out there, and we’re probably still some time from seeing them on the market, but the biggest issue there is energy transfer to charge them. It takes hours in some circumstances.”

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Planting the electric engine model used in cars into the larger scale trucks is not as simple as it sounds. Earle says with the kind of delivery schedule transport drivers have, taking long periods of time to charge up a vehicle would be difficult to maintain.

On top of that, range becomes a huge problem for drivers looking to make a long haul trip with a full load on their trailer. Earle says the electric models offered currently don’t have the ability to cover the distances needed for many truckers.

“The ones that are on the market right now have a range of 120 km. Not enough for a real operation to run. But that is changing.”

While researchers work on finding a solid technology that would work with larger trucks, Earle says there is hope in alternatives- like hydrogen fuel cell use.

“We’re also engaged in working with companies and looking for different ways to pilot hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Some really exciting work is happening on that front as well.”

As they wait for greener technologies to become available, the industry has put a focus on making sure their drivers operating the diesel powered trucks know how to drive efficiently. Driver training courses are being offered to teach drivers how to keep the amount of fuel needed to a minimum.