GreenDrive Neo on a Tata BS4 Container Truck – Fuel Efficiency Amid Variable Operating Conditions
Vehicle Details
Make & Model:
Tata BS4 Container Truck, 5.7-liter diesel engine.
Primary Operation:
Nationwide freight transportation with varying load conditions.
Load Distribution:
- 25% of the time: No load.
- 50% of the time: Partial load.
- 25% of the time: Full load.
Baseline Fuel Average:
4.18 km/l(measured over 20 days).
Challenges
- Variable Load and Routes: The truck's operations involve constant changes in load and route, making it difficult to establish a consistent baseline fuel average.
- Impact of Weather: Sudden drops in nighttime temperatures from 27°C to below 8°Csignificantly affected fuel efficiency in second part of the testing.
- High Operational Demand: The truck operates under diverse conditions, testing the adaptability of any system designed to improve efficiency.
The Saarthi GreenDrive Neo model was tested over a 25-day period post-installation, capturing key metrics. During the initial 10 days, it achieved a fuel average of 4.72 km/l (+13% savings), while in the subsequent 12 days, the fuel average was 4.48 km/l (+7.2% savings).
GreenDrive Neo Implementation
Scientific Analysis of Observations for drop in second leg of testing
Weather Impact on Fuel Efficiency
- Temperature Drop: The test period saw nighttime temperatures drop from 27°C to below 8°C.
- Effects:
- Higher air density increases aerodynamic drag, reducing efficiency.
- Lower tyre pressure in cold conditions increases rolling resistance.
- Engines take longer to reach optimal operating temperature, consuming more fuel during warm-up.
- Expected Fuel Efficiency Drop: 5–15%, even with no other changes.
- Effects:
Load Impact
- Increased average load during the second phase of testing also contributed to reduced fuel efficiency.
Results
1. Fuel Savings
- Baseline (Pre-Installation): 4.18 km/l.
- Phase 1 (First 10 Days Post-Installation): 4.72 km/l(+13% savings).
- Phase 2 (Next 15 Days Post-Installation): 4.48 km/l(+7.2% savings).
Despite challenging conditions, Saarthi GreenDrive demonstrated significant savings:
- Average improvement: 10%over 22 days against a baseline that is deemed average at higher temperature found more conducive to better fuel average.
2. Fuel Saved
- Distance travelled: 5,000 + km
- Diesel saved: Approx 110 Liters from the baseline average.
3. Emission Reduction
- Carbon Footprint Reduction:
- 1 liter diesel = 2.68 kg CO₂.
- Emissions saved: 292 kg CO₂ in 22 days.
- Annualized emissions savings: 4.8 Tons of CO2
4. Operational Benefits
Challenges and Lessons Learned
1. Baseline Calculation Limitations
- A consistent baseline average is impossible for vehicles with highly variable load, route, and weather conditions.
- Fuel efficiency needs to be evaluated over extended periods for greater accuracy.
2. Impact of Cold Weather
- Temperature drops significantly affect fuel efficiency.
- Adjustments in system tuning may help mitigate some of these effects.
3. GreenDrive’s Consistency
- Despite adverse conditions, the system consistently delivered fuel savings and emission reductions.
- Saarthi remains confident in achieving 1.5%+ fuel savingsunder more consistent conditions.
Conclusion
Saarthi GreenDrive Neo has proven its adaptability and efficiency under the highly variable conditions faced by this Tata BS4 container truck. While weather and load variations impacted fuel savings during the trial, the system:
- Delivered consistent mileage improvements, peaking at 13% and has ability to deliver more.
- Reduced emissions, contributing to sustainability goals.
- Enhanced engine performance, offering long-term operational benefits.
With its advanced design and adaptability, GreenDrive Neo is a reliable solution for optimizing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions across diverse operations in India’s logistics sector.