Gearing up for green

The nation's initiative towards sustainable development encourages companies to invest in biodiesel to power their commercial vehicles

Last updated: September 15, 2018 | 21:54

By Gareth Kurt Warren I Features Writer

4 MIN READ

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Hybrid hatchbacks are no longer the only vehicles that go easy on the environment. Commercial vehicles are also taking the green path, thanks to the UAE leadership’s initiatives in this direction.

Earlier this year, speaking after the launch of a long-term national initiative to build a greener UAE economy, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, “Our goal from this national initiative is clear, that is to build an economy that protects the environment as well as an environment that supports the growth of the economy.”

One of the companies at the forefront of this green development strategy is Gargash Enterprises. In its endeavour to reduce carbon emissions, the company has brought the Mercedes-Benz Vito, the first commercial vehicle that runs on biodiesel to the UAE. Biodiesel is a clean burning, sustainable alternative fuel.

Collective responsibility

The company uses the Vito as a shuttle bus service to ferry customers from its workshop in Al Quoz to various locations around the city. Paving the way for future ozone-protecting vehicles in the region, the Vito is just a preview of what is to come.

Gargash Enterprises is in the process of adapting its internal fleet of 11 commercial vehicles to run on biodiesel with another 60 vehicles set to make the transition later this year. “We at Gargash Enterprises are very confident and pleased about being a part of this critical campaign. We are working towards reducing the carbon footprint and conserving natural resources while encouraging and inculcating the same values in our employees,” says Abdul Jabbar Gargash, Executive Director, Gargash Enterprises.

Converted in Dubai from locally used cooking oil, the biodiesel used by Gargash Enterprises would otherwise be a waste product. Since diesel engines do not require adaptation, the transition from fossil diesel to biodiesel is relatively simple. With no reduction in efficiency and asset utilisation, the company can maintain its commercial and financial viability.

Cheaper option

Other companies are also doing their bit for the planet. Al Mariah United Group, a transport company based in Dubai, is set to launch its Wuzhoulong buses in the UAE. This includes the country’s first CNG luxury coach, on show at the Commercial Vehicles Middle East exhibition that starts today at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. This 50-seater bus, manufactured in China, is between 30 and 40 per cent cheaper to operate
than conventional diesel luxury coaches.

Al Mariah intends to use the exhibition as a platform to convince commercial vehicle buyers that a luxury coach can be environmentally friendly and cheaper to operate than its diesel counterparts.

Speaking about the coach, Ziad Nahass, Managing Director, Al Mariah United Group, says, “The Wuzhoulong CNG Luxury Coach is a unique bus that delivers 280 horsepower, while its emissions are well below the limits set for the European Emissions Standards, currently the most stringent emission standard in the world.”

Leading by example, Nahass’ company shipped in 32 of the buses from China in December last year for its own transportation needs.

Commercial vehicle manufacturers are not the only players stepping up to the green field. Shell Markets Middle East’s smarter mobility solutions have gained interest from customers looking for more efficient transportation. Due to the ever-increasing global demand for energy and mobility, Shell can now help fleet operators reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with their ‘Smarter Mobility’ offerings. Shell’s solutions consist of advanced products and business support services, underpinned by leading technological innovation and development. One of these products is the Shell Diesel Extra.

Fuel management

Designed to help transport companies save fuel by up to 3 per cent (over the lifetime of a vehicle when compared with regular diesel without the fuel economy formula), Shell Diesel Extra also improves engine efficiency and lowers their fuel-related carbon footprint. Since it is designed to prevent fuel system corrosion, maintenance costs and downtime is reduced.

Shell is also in the process of developing advanced fuel management systems for heavy-duty vehicles to enable better management of fuel consumption.

Another product offered by Shell is Rimula R6 LME. It is a fully synthetic lubricant that delivers fuel savings of up to 2 per cent when compared to typical 10W-40 oil. In the UAE, Shell Diesel Extra and Shell Rimula R6 LME are used by leading transport and construction companies such as Daimler and Caterpillar.

Renewable fuel

Biodiesel can extend the life of a vehicle’s engine by reducing friction through enhanced lubrication. This renewable fuel acts as a cleaning detergent in fuel systems, removing sludge deposits over time, thus improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel combustion is about 50 per cent less than that of fossil diesel (according to the US Environmental Protection Agency). In cities where smog is a growing problem, this characteristic is directly beneficial. Biodiesel has a reduced smog-forming potential and eliminates sulphur emissions.

Compared to fossil diesel, biodiesel exhaust emissions of sulphur oxides and sulphates are virtually non-existent; these compounds are principal contributors to the formation of acid rain.

The ‘well-to-wheel’ life cycle analysis of used cooking oil to biodiesel shows that the amount of CO2 emitted is reduced by nearly 80 per cent compared to fossil diesel.

The rollout of biodiesel thus represents a significant opportunity to reduce transport carbon footprints. Biodiesel use has been found to reduce levels of residual hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and soot (particulates) in exhaust emissions.

Biodiesel has a higher flashpoint (160C), than fossil diesel making it safer to store. It is less of a fire risk in the event of accidents. Exposure to this non-toxic fuel poses little risk.