Daimler continues to reduce diesel consumption and CO2 emissions

Truck fuel consumption has been reduced by 30% from 1960 to date. NOx and PM emissions decreased by 98 percent over the same period. Efficiency of freight transport increased by more than 80% in 1960 to the present.

"In ten years, commercial vehicles will consume 20 percent less fuel and reduce CO2 emissions as much," said Andreas Renschler, Member of the Board responsible for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses, about his vision, during a comparative test conducted in step truck San Bernardino in Switzerland. By this statement, Renschler set high standards for commercial vehicle plant engineers in Stuttgart. To overcome these challenges, engineers will have to remove any obstacle in this respect to further improve aerodynamic truck and trailer or semi-perfect optimization of conventional propulsion systems to alternative fuels and even partial hybridization to train power. These measures are essential because the limits of conventional technology in decades past were already pressed by what is technically feasible. Reason and that is the fuel efficiency and economy have always played a key role in the development of the truck. Outstanding performances were achieved in a short time, so that a truck made in the '60s could hardly be compared with modern long-haul vehicle. This was demonstrated by the route compared Trucking Transalp 2010 Mercedes-Benz, where trucks were present today with their predecessors for more than five decades ago.

Before the start of the race comparative engineers made multiple measurements on a Mercedes-Benz Actros 1844 of a modern and model year 1964, LP 1620, which led him on a long distance from Stuttgart to Milan and back. The results showed not only a difference of almost 50 percent in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per tonne of payload, but impurities in suspension and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 98 percent. Psychological and physical pressure borne by drivers also decreased, significantly, while transportation has doubled performance and safety was greatly enhanced.

Transport performance, measured in tons per kilometer, with increases each year in the European Union. According to European Commission transport performance has reached approximately 4120 billion ton-kilometers in 2006, increasing by 2.6 percent per year since 1995, when it totaled 3.100 billion ton-kilometers. Motor vehicles were the only means of freight that could enhance performance. There are real economic reasons for this. Not only increased efficiency of commercial vehicles in a remarkable way, but their passive and active safety and comfort and compatibility with the environment have taken a positive turn.

Mercedes-Benz has had a pioneering role in all these areas for decades. During the test drive about 1160 miles from Stuttgart to Milan and back, Mercedes-Benz LP 1620, one of the most advanced trucks of the '60s, he spent almost 20 percent more fuel, for example, than Actros 1844. Measurement results are even more impressive if fuel consumption is calculated according to the payload. They argue that if a veteran truck, fuel consumption is 2.34 liters per tonne transported a distance of 100 km, while actress needs 1.27 liters. This represents a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions by nearly 50 percent. Quantities of other emissions were also reduced dramatically: concentrations of NOx in the flue gas and impurities were almost 98% lower for 1844 Actros truck. Consequently, performance meet the requirements of Euro 5 Actros truck. Daimler engineers are now preparing for the Euro 6 standards, which will come into force in 2014 and will stipulate limits in line with current technologies.

Effective, but quick

While reducing fuel consumption and emissions are one of the aims of developers engineers within the Mercedes-Benz engines, their other desire is to enhance performance and improve torque. These factors have a significant impact on economic efficiency and commercial vehicles, turning them into some of the most important aspects of marketing.

In 1960, a truck with a capacity of approximately 150 kW (200 hp) and torque of 700 Nm, was considered to be a real powerhouse for the transport of 32 tons. Several generations later, in Europe it is considered appropriate for a truck carrying about 40 tons to have a dual power and torque of three times higher. Actros most powerful engine currently a 15.9-liter V8 has an output of 440 kW (598 hp) and torque of 2800 Nm. However, a simple comparison of power of 320 kW (440 hp) of Actrosului and the veteran truck is enough to show remarkable progress over the past 50 years.

During the route from Stuttgart to Milan and back Actros truck traveled an average speed of 76 km / h, with a load of 25 tonnes. Moreover, LP 1620 model 1964, carried only 16 tons and traveled more slowly, with an average speed 58 km / h. Progress in decades becomes obvious by comparing the lengths of the two truck races. If the route actress of 1159 kilometers in 12 hours and 36 minutes, the truck took LP1620 also 8:00 (equivalent to a day of work) to finish the race, reaching the finish line after 20 hours and 8 minutes. Drivers of other vehicles which have passed veteran truck needed a lot of patience because, when passing through San Bernardino up, old car did not exceed the speed of 29 km / h at up to 36 mph downhill. Instead, Actros truck drivers tried the patience of others much less, traveling at an average speed of 45 km / h at entry and 77 km / h downhill.

Guaranteed safety for drivers

40 tonne truck driver with trailer, actress, anytime can rely on active and passive safety systems. Mercedes-Benz introduced in 1981 to heavy trucks braking ABS anti-lock. There have been significant advances in the development of braking technologies, leading to the development retarder, retarder system further resistant to wear, namely a high-pressure electronically controlled brake. Progress is confirmed by the braking distance required to slow the vehicle from 80-0 km / h. If the truck Actros are required only 38.5 meters, while LP 1620 requires 56 feet. The difference between the two distances is comparable to the length of a car with four passengers on board. Other steps include the option to developments Active Brake Assist, an emergency braking system and a remarkable range of support systems that make these trucks safer.

Comfort helps reduce tension on the driver's steering

Some time ago, DaimlerChrysler researchers have recognized that the functions once considered a luxury is actually the basic equipment to reduce physical and mental pressure and to help the driver avoid moments of inattention.

This equipment is not only equipped with air conditioning as an alternative to glass slides, also includes a comfortable chair instead of a simple suspension conventional banks, and a comfortable bed can be arranged at different levels, instead of a spartan bed . If traditional truck clutch should hold a pressure of about 30 kilograms-force at every change of speed, modern truck is equipped with an automatic transmission. Progress in this area is proven by comparative testing between actress and LP 1620. The portion of Chur and Lostallo, pass through San Bernardino, Actros measuring devices have been only 175 speed changes, and none was used when the automatic transmission. In contrast, LP 1620 truck driver was forced to use the gearbox 290 times.

Driver Stress actress is also reduced and substantially improved sound insulation. Megaspace cabin has a very low noise level only 63 dB (A) at 80 km / h, which is different from the sound of a cat who purrs when compared with the 72 dB (A) at 1620 LP. With so little noise, drivers can relax listening to music.

Top ratings EGG when a truck - an Actros leaders have a speed response

Due to outstanding technology, road safety and comfort, drivers are more relaxed than in past decades trucks and equipment of these systems help prevent stressful situations. The first objective measurements were made and a truck route Transalp Trucking in 2010. Electroencefalogramele (EEG) were conducted for drivers to obtain clues about the psychological pressure faced by the driver in stressful situations. To perform tests, drivers wore a helmet with sensors that recorded EEG brain perceive times when an acoustic signal transmitted in the ears. The results showed that drivers at the wheel of a truck Actros have almost the same time to react when traveling on a difficult route (eg, yards, pass through the mountains) as if it is easy to drive on highways. Situation where different truck LP 1620: EEG results showed that the driver needs 400 milliseconds in addition to the Actros truck driver to respond to sensory stimuli. In dangerous situations, this difference would mean to start braking later than nine meters at a speed of 80 km / h. Given the endless rows of cars on highways, are obvious consequences of such delays.

Source: http://www.daimler.com/

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