Focus Issue on Low-Carbon Fuels for Sustainable Transport
As the global community grapples with the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector emerges as a focal point for transformative action. While vehicle electrification could be the mainstream for passenger vehicles, liquid and gaseous fuels will continue to dominate the commercial, off-road, marine, and aviation sectors in the foreseeable future. The transition to low-carbon fuels for sustainable transport emerges as a pivotal pathway towards a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable future. The low-carbon fuels of interest include, but not limited to: biofuels, synthetic fuels, e-fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, natural gas, methanol, ethanol, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), hydrogen, and ammonia.
This focus issue aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of low-carbon fuels, encompassing technological advancements, policy frameworks, economic and environmental considerations, and societal implications. By bringing together contributions from researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, this collection seeks to illuminate the paths toward a more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation system.
Topics for this focus issue include, but are not limited to:
- Advancements in Low-Carbon Fuel Production:
- Low-carbon fuel production processes
- Co-processing with existing refineries
- Pathways to reduce the carbon footprint of petroleum-based fuels
- Advancements in Low-Carbon Fuel Utilization:
- Low-carbon fuel combustion kinetics
- Fuel spray and combustion
- Advanced engine, after-treatment, and fuel cell technologies for low-carbon fuels
- Low-carbon fuel storage technologies
- Integration of low-carbon fuels into existing transportation infrastructure
- Policy and Regulatory Frameworks:
- Policy design, incentives, and regulatory mechanisms aimed at promoting the use of low-carbon fuels across international markets
- Economic Viability and Market Dynamics:
- Techno-economic analysis of low-carbon fuel technologies and production capacities
- Cost-benefit analyses of transitioning to low-carbon transport
- Market dynamics influencing investment decisions and consumer behavior
- Environmental and Health Impacts:
- Life-cycle and total cost of ownership analyses of using low-carbon fuel towards reducing greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions
- Air quality improvements and public health outcomes associated with the widespread adoption of low-carbon transport solutions
- Social Acceptance and Behavioral Change:
- Factors influencing public perceptions and consumer attitudes toward low-carbon fuels
- Strategies for promoting behavioral change conducive to sustainable transport practices
- Initiatives, lessons learned, and replicable models for fostering the adoption of low-carbon fuels in transportation