The Shell Starship 2.0, the second generation of a bullet-shaped tractor-trailer prototype, achieved solid results in its final efficiency in late 2022 as part of Shell Lubricants’ supply chain fleet which has been evaluating decarbonisation options for motorway fleets.
Starship 2.0 made two voyages that traveled 3,670 miles (5,906 km) on existing routes between the Shell Houston Regional Distribution Center (HRDC) to the Fontana Regional Distribution Center (FRDC) in California, and from Fontana to the Atlanta Regional Distribution Center (ARDC ).
The first run, loaded with 46,380 pounds (21,037 kg) of Shell Rotella motor oil, was from Houston to Fontana where it was unloaded at FRDC. For the second leg, Starship 2.0 transported 45,988 pounds (20,859 kg) of product to ARDC in Atlanta.
For the Houston to Fontana stretch, the vehicle achieved 241.5 ton miles per gallon of cargo ton efficiency (combining the weight of the cargo being moved with the amount of fuel consumed), 3.1 times more than the average US freight ton efficiency for trucks, which is 75.9 ton-miles per gallon. Fuel economy was 10.41 miles per gallon (22.6 liters per 100 km) on the Houston to Fontana drive. Its best fuel economy section was 11.2 mpg (21 L/100 km).
Fuel economy
On the trip from Fontana to Atlanta, Starship 2.0 achieved 251 ton miles per gallon in cargo ton efficiency, 3.3 times the average US freight ton efficiency for trucks. It achieved 10.92 mpg (21.54 L/100 km). The best section of the trip recorded 12.1 mpg (19.44 L/100 km).
“This push gave us more insight into the impact of efficiency testing with different payloads and kilometers traveled, demonstrating tangible benefits for the freight industry as it seeks to reduce emissions,” said Selda Gunsel , Shell Global Solutions president and vice president. fuel and lubricant technology. “We worked again with the American Council on Freight Efficiency to monitor and verify the results.”
Since 2018, the Shell Starship initiative has sought to demonstrate how the energy use of a Class 8 truck can be reduced by leveraging energy-efficient technologies and lubricants available today, as the transport industry accelerates towards a low carbon future.
Natural gas engine for the next version
Plans for the next generation of the Shell Starship initiative will be announced on May 2 at the ACT Expo in Anaheim, California. Version 3.0 features the new Cummins X15N natural gas engine and will seek to display results in tons of miles of freight shipped per kilogram of CO2 issued
“The updated Starship will integrate a best-in-class aerodynamic cabin, trailer and tires, with an efficient powertrain and driveline, powered by Shell Renewable Natural Gas and Shell Rotella low-friction lubricants,” said Tom Mueller, Global Managing Director Commercial. lubricants for road transport.
“Cummins is delighted to help advance the groundbreaking work of the Shell Starship 3.0 project by integrating the new X15N large-bore natural gas engine,” said Puneet Jhawar, managing director of Cummins’ global spark ignition business.
“Growth in the supply of renewable natural gas and the addition of public CNG refueling sites is helping long-haul fleets recognize the environmental, economic and operational benefits that natural gas engines can provide, with minimal disruption to the its business model”.
