Fuel Efficiency and Emission Reduction with Saarthi GreenDrive Neo on Tata BS6 Oil Tanker

oil tanker

Vehicle Details

Make & Model:

Tata BS6 truck with a 5.6-liter diesel engine.

Primary Operation:

Transporting heavy oil (28 tons) from Jamnagar & Mundra Port to industrial locations in Gujarat.

Average Monthly Distance:

7,000+ km.

Baseline Fuel Average:

2.7–3.3 km/l.

Challenges

  • High Fuel Consumption: Fully loaded with 28 tons of heavy oil, the vehicle consumes significantly more fuel compared to lighter commercial vehicles like buses.
  • Heat Generation: Higher combustion efficiency from GreenDrive technology initially caused noticeable cabin heat during long journeys.
  • Fuel Pilferage: Industry practices of siphoning fuel impacted the accuracy of fuel savings measurements.
  • Environmental Concerns: The need to reduce black smoke and emissions from high fuel consumption vehicles while improving efficiency and engine performance.

The Saarthi GreenDrive Neo model was installed to improve combustion efficiency and lower emissions. In the initial weeks, it achieved 5–7% fuel savings, with drivers noting increased cabin heat during high loads due to more complete fuel combustion.

GreenDrive Neo Implementation

Key Observations and Adjustments

Addressing Heat Generation
  1. Scientific Insight:
    • Fully burning diesel fuel with hydrogen enhances combustion, leading to higher thermal energy.
    • In heavy-load scenarios, this results in higher heat dissipation to the engine and cabin area.
  2. Solution:
    • Tuning the GreenDrive Neo system reduced the rate of hydrogen delivery slightly, balancing fuel combustion efficiency while minimizing excess heat generation.
    • Post-tuning, the vehicle operated smoothly with minimal heat issues.
  1. Feedback After Adjustment:
    • Smooth Drive: The vehicle ran seamlessly without any vibration.
    • Smoke Elimination: No visible black smoke from the exhaust.
    • Power Boost: Drivers noted a slight increase in power, especially during uphill drives.
  1. Initial Challenge:
    • Fuel pilferage during trips impacted savings calculations. The trucking company had pre-set fuel limits for each journey, making it difficult to track genuine savings.
  2. Solution:
    • Saarthi GreenDrive added a CAN data readerto log real-time fuel usage and GPS distance accurately.
    • The system now identifies discrepancies caused by pilferage, enabling precise measurement of fuel savings.

Results

  • Initial Savings: 5–7% in the first few weeks.
  • Post-Tuning: Consistent fuel savings of 14%were recorded over 30 days.
  • Distance Traveled: 7,000+ km.
  • Baseline fuel consumption: 2,333 
  • Post-GreenDrive savings: 326 Liters saved
  • Annual savings: 326×12=3,912 litres/ year.
  • CO₂ reduction: 3,912×2.68=10,490 kg CO₂ (~10.49 tons).
  • Additional benefits: Significant reduction in black smoke, NOx, and particulate matter emissions.
  • Decarbonization from hydrogen-enhanced combustion improved engine life by reducing carbon deposits.
  • The engine is expected to require fewer maintenance intervals, lowering operational costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Achieved consistent 1.4% fuel savingsafter system tuning.
  • Emissions reduced significantly, aligning with sustainability goals.
  • CAN data integration provides accurate fuel consumption insights, addressing challenges of fuel pilferage.

  • The system was tuned to meet the specific needs of heavy-load operations, balancing fuel efficiency and heat management.
  • Improved vehicle performance led to smoother driving experiences, enhanced power delivery, and elimination of black smoke.

Conclusion

Saarthi GreenDrive Neo has demonstrated its ability to transform heavy-duty diesel trucks into cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles. With the integration of advanced features like CAN data readers and AI-based tuning, the system is poised to address key challenges in the transportation sector, offering tangible benefits in fuel savings, emission reduction, and operational efficiency.This case study underscores Saarthi GreenDrive’s potential to revolutionize the trucking industry while contributing to a sustainable future.