Decarbonization potential of road haulage through hybridization and improved aerodynamic efficiency of semi-trailers in France
The year 2025 is set to mark significant progress in the decarbonization of heavy goods
vehicles (HGVs), with a period of technological clarification and the arrival of new, more
efficient electric vehicles offering a range of 600 km for a weight of 40 tonnes, without
requiring recharging en route. Despite this technological progress – accompanied by
ongoing efforts to improve practices, particularly through eco-driving – the emission
reductions projected by the French General Secretariat for Ecological Planning (SGPE) for
freight transport in France by 2030 are half of what is needed to meet French national
targets.11 SGPE, Transport: summary of the implementation of the plan. March 2024. Available online: https://www.info.gouv.fr/upload/media/content/0001/09/5dadd629747febad088d92fdc7c990844354914c.pdf
This observation highlights the need to explore additional levers to accelerate the reduction
of road transport emissions. This Policy Brief sets out to demonstrate the value of equipping
articulated vehicles with aerodynamic deflectors and fitting semi-trailers with non-plug-in
hybrid systems to reduce the fuel consumption of tractor units. To this end, this Policy Brief
draws on technical and economic analyses and concludes that these measures could yield
significant economic and environmental gains.
The analysis is based on a series of consultations with key stakeholders in the sector, as
well as on the expertise of Ian Motion, an engineering company specializing in the design
and development of electrification solutions.
- 11 SGPE, Transport: summary of the implementation of the plan. March 2024. Available online: https://www.info.gouv.fr/upload/media/content/0001/09/5dadd629747febad088d92fdc7c990844354914c.pdf