Delivering the world

This article looks at the use of environmentally-friendly technologies in the road freight industry. Fuel consumption has been steadily improved in the last forty years and engine emissions have been reduced. Fuel economy and efficiency, originally driven by cost considerations, are now seen as attractive for environmental reasons, and are improved by better driving practices, larger vehicles and efficient use patterns. Alternative-fuel engines have also been introduced, including electric urban vehicles. Hybrid-fuel vehicles are effective especially in heavy urban traffic. Hydrogen fuel cells are being researched, and are already used in buses in Germany. Liquefied petroleum gas and compressed natural gas are also used in truck engines as the problem of power loss has been addressed. Biofuels have become controversial because of concerns over unsustainable source crops, although improvements are being made in this field. A further source of energy is biogas, currently being developed.