If you’re responsible for thinking through the environmental impact of your company’s transportation fleet, Accenture has published a report outlining the viability of alternative fuel sources and their potential impact to disrupt commercial transportation and logistics functions.
The report, called “Betting on Science – Disruptive Technologies in Transport Fuels,” outlines the commercial potential for fuel technologies that promise to do the following:
- Reduce hydrocarbon fuel demand by more than 20 percent by 2030
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 percent compared with the hydrocarbon fuel they are replacing
- Has the potential for real commercial presence within the next five years
- Can compete with oil sources priced between $45 and $90 per barrel
There are 12 technologies covered altogether, ranging the gamut from plug-in hybrid vehicle engines to sugar-to-diesel engineering to algae and other biofuels. The report weighs all the regulatory and research and development concerns that could hold back each option –- or push it to the front of the pack.
For example, even though algae might yield more fuel than soybeans, it is further from commercial production. While plug-in hybrids seem to make the most sense right now, the upfront costs of deploying public charging infrastructure AND the scarcity of the Lithium needed are drawbacks.
