Posted on 01/14/2025 8:34:39 AM PST by Red Badger
How Shell's Starship 3.0 is revolutionizing commercial trucking
The Shell Starship Initiative has been on an interesting journey since its inception in 2018, with a mission to redefine energy efficiency in the commercial trucking sector. Starting with diesel engines, the first two versions of the Starship made impressive strides in fuel efficiency, but now with the introduction of the Starship 3.0, we're witnessing a remarkable shift towards sustainability. This latest iteration features the innovative Cummins X15N natural gas engine, which not only enhances performance but also significantly reduces emissions.
Evolution of the Starship initiative The Shell Starship Initiative began with a clear goal: to set new benchmarks for energy efficiency in commercial trucking. The first two versions of the Starship were powered by diesel engines, achieving notable fuel efficiencies compared to industry standards. However, the introduction of the Cummins X15N natural gas engine in the Starship 3.0 represents a pivotal shift away from diesel, addressing both environmental concerns and operational efficiency.
The X15N engine, launched in 2024, is designed specifically for heavy-duty applications and overcomes previous limitations associated with natural gas as a fuel source. It provides similar power outputs to diesel engines but does so with enhanced fuel efficiency and significantly lower emissions. This is particularly important as the trucking industry faces increasing pressure to meet stricter environmental regulations.
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VIDEO AT LINK..........................
Diesel List!......................
They basically are punishing us for doing what they forced us to do. Of course while Trump is in office that won't be a problem. Unfortunately long term planning and investing on a project like this Shell project fails when the rules keep changing.
Interesting.
Kudos to Shell’s R&D team. This is an impressive development and will prove far more useful and sustainable than any sort of electric truck.
Lowrider! Should be popular with certain demographics...
They basically are punishing us for doing what they forced us to do. Of course while Trump is in office that won't be a problem. Unfortunately long term planning and investing on a project like this Shell project fails when the rules keep changing.
Yes, we've already forgotten the CFL mercury bomblettes unleashed on us by the Greenies.
Now, they want to drive up the price of natural gas that should be used for heating and cooking by burning it in transportation vehicles.
Let's not evwen mention that they're using it for electricity when we could be using coal and thorium nuclear power.
That thing looks like it belongs on a NASCAR track.
Cool looking but one speed bump or pothole will rip apart those fairings!
All that fiberglass, you have to think the first deer this truck explodes will also destroy much of that truck.
Kinda looks cool, too!
I was all ready to dump all over it, thinking it was an EV truck...
How do you fuel up a natural gas truck?
Kudos to Shell for funding this.
But engineering credit goes to Cummins and Kenworth.
“ How do you fuel up a natural gas truck?”
Specialized NG pumps at certain filling stations around the country. They look like conventional gasoline pumps except for the nozzle.
There are special tanks and fueling depots for such things.
Our local garbage company uses natural gas fueled trucks. They have their own fuel depot............
I remember seeing a similar truck around 1999-2000 that was built by Mercedes. It was featured on either Beyond 2000 or NextStep TV shows.
If they're feeding it LNG, that would be thermodynamically rational, but would require a very impressive hose and coupler.
The Mercedes was more advanced in a couple of ways.
1. It had folding panels between the tractor and trailer that kept wind out of the gap. The panels automatically folded so the truck could still turn.
2. The top trailing edge of the trailer had a couple of features: it was rounded to let air more easily flow down and it also had a series of vents that promoted laminar flow. The result was that drag-producing rear vortices were greatly reduced it not eliminated.
First tire that comes apart is going to do nasty things to that pretty aero package. Going to have to cut away the fibre-glass to change that tire.
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