Let’s delve into the environmental impact of a convoy of 32 trucks, each weighing 22 tonnes, compared to a single 22-tonne truck over a 200-kilometer journey in Ireland.

A 22-tonne truck, on average, consumes around 6-7 miles per gallon of diesel fuel, or roughly 2.5 – 3km per litre. Therefor, over a 200-kilometer journey, a lone 22-tonne truck might use approximately 66 – 80 litres of diesel fuel. Now, if we consider a fleet of 32 such trucks, the collective fuel consumption becomes significantly higher, potentially exceeding 2,112 – 2,560 litres of diesel fuel for the entire convoy.

Co2 emissions:

In terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, each litre of diesel burned produces around 2.64 kg of CO2. Therefore, the fleet of 32 trucks could result in a substantial increase in CO2 emissions compared to the single truck, emphasizing the environmental impact of larger truck convoys.

Furthermore, the wear and tear on roads are influenced by the weight of the vehicles. A convoy of 32 trucks, each weighing 22 tonnes, would exert a considerably higher load on the road infrastructure compared to a single truck, leading to increased maintenance requirements and associated environmental costs.

These examples highlight the importance of adopting sustainable practices, including the use of fuel-efficient technologies, alternative energy sources, and optimizing logistics, to mitigate the environmental impact of heavy trucking in Ireland.

Figures based upon a 200km journey, at 22 tonnes, equating to the amount of threaded bar required to replicate the amount of cable that can fit into 1 container:

1 container of threaded bar = 45,000m

1 container of cable = 1,442,000m

32 containers of threaded bar = 1,440,000m

Co2 emissions:

1 truck over 200km = 174 – 211 kg of Co2

32 trucks over 200km = 5,568 – 6,752 kg of C02

Diesel costings:

1 truck – 200km – €104.80 @ €1.31 per ltr

32 trucks – 200km – €3,353.60 @ €1.31 per ltr

Total difference

Co2 Savings: 6541kg

Cost savings: €3248.80

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