DEFRA heavy goods vehicle methodology

[/transport/defra/vehicle/hgv]

This methodology represents greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of heavy goods vehicles. The data and calculation methodology originates from the UK government department DEFRA, as published in their most recent greenhouse gas (GHG) conversion factors documentation.

The methodology

Emissions model

The emissions methodology is based upon emissions factors which describe the rate at which heavy goods vehicles emit greenhouse gases according to distance travelled. These emissions factors represent emissions associated with entire vehicles, which can be contrasted with similar transport-related emissions factors which describe emissions on per-passenger or per-unit-of-freight bases.

Emissions - conventionally expressed in terms of mass (e.g. kg) - are calculated by simply multiplying these rates (mass emitted per distance; e.g. kg CO₂ per km) by a distance travelled (e.g km).

Model data

The rate at which heavy goods vehicles emit greenhouse gases varies depending on the vehicle's fuel 'efficiency' (i.e. the distance acheived per unit of fuel consumed) which is affected by vehicle size and the loading of goods. Therefore, emissions factors for a broad range of generalised heavy goods vehicles and illustrative loadings are provided.

A total of 23 specific types of heavy goods vehicle scenarios are represented and are differentiated by vehicle type (rigid versus articulated), size (i.e. gross weight in tonnes), and percentage laden (0%, 50%, 100% as well as the UK average for each vehicle type).

Each vehicle type is represented by six distinct emissions factors which differentiate greenhouse gas emissions into the following types:

direct CO₂ emissions: carbon dioxide emissions produced during vehicle usage, i.e. fuel combustion
direct CH₄ emissions: methane emissions produced during vehicle usage, i.e. fuel combustion
direct N₂O emissions: nitrous oxide emissions produced during vehicle usage, i.e. fuel combustion
total direct emissions: all direct emissions, i.e. CO₂ + CH₄ + N₂O
indirect emissions: emissions associated with stages in the fuel production chain such as raw material extraction and fuel delivery
total or 'life cycle': the total of direct and indirect emissions

Each of these emissions factors are expressed in terms of kg CO₂e per km.

Similar methodologies

Other DEFRA vehicle-based methodologies available represent vehicles differentiated by size and cars differentiated by market segment. Methodologies oriented around passenger and freight transport are also available.

Using this methodology

Choosing a specific activity type

To use this methodology, the particular type of vehicle and loading scenario which best represents the users emissions scenario must be specified by making selections from each of the type, size and load drill down choices.

Activity data required

According to this methodology, greenhouse gas emissions are directly proportionate to distance travelled which therefore must be specified - using the distance profile item value - in order to make an emissions calculation.

Users can choose to specify their activity data in a comprehensive range of appropriate units.

Calculation and result

The returned emissions quantities for this methodology are inclusive of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O. The following discrete amounts are returned:

CO2: CO₂ emissions
methaneCO2e: CH₄ (methane) emissions
nitrousOxideCO2e: N₂O (nitrous oxide) emissions
totalDirectCO2e: total direct emissions
indirectCO2e: Indirect emissions
lifeCycleCO2e: Full life cycle emissions

Users should note that all quantities (including the separated CH₄ and N₂O emissions) are expressed in terms of CO₂e - the quantity of CO₂ which would exert the same atmospheric warming effect and the emissions quantity.

This methodology represents per vehicle emissions and therefore the returned emissions should be considered - by default - to represent those attributable to an entire single vehicle.

	UID	Label
	K77XLQUSPDH8	all, uk average, 55%
	63MYN06YN53T	articulated, 3.5-33 t, 0%
	0FQQRYQ0OYLG	articulated, 3.5-33 t, 100%
	ZD9LJEFRHMUY	articulated, 3.5-33 t, 45% (uk average)
	1SKYU2QTFRRV	articulated, 3.5-33 t, 50%
	CWX4JYVH5IJY	articulated, over 33 t, 0%
	MR4WENJLKTF8	articulated, over 33 t, 100%
	2A3HIQNZ61ZW	articulated, over 33 t, 50%
	MU69Y1JQMUXZ	articulated, over 33 t, 61% (uk average)
	09ZUPQU1YDUE	articulated, uk average, 60%
	OC25ILZI3NXO	rigid, 3.5-7.5 t, 0%
	AA7HEJ5PCMCI	rigid, 3.5-7.5 t, 100%
	KZ4FRFGJ5NFB	rigid, 3.5-7.5 t, 43% (uk average)
	UHGWTYUCPR1M	rigid, 3.5-7.5 t, 50%
	ID5VYE1Z4VYE	rigid, 7.5-17 t, 0%
	OXRT7X89I5JU	rigid, 7.5-17 t, 100%
	AY03SG2BAIV6	rigid, 7.5-17 t, 36% (uk average)
	IM6LVYRV6I1I	rigid, 7.5-17 t, 50%
	IWUJ8C9AU8ZW	rigid, over 17 t, 0%
	1JDUQJ1ML1ZW	rigid, over 17 t, 100%

Name: DEFRA_heavy_goods_vehicle_methodology

Full path: /transport/defra/vehicle/hgv

Parent Category: DEFRA road transport methodology by vehicle size

Provenance: DEFRA

calculation defra defra_annex7 direct distance emission_factor heavy_goods indirect lca transport UK