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Starship driving on the road

How Shell’s Starship 3.0 NG paves the way for lower-carbon fleets operating natural gas powertrains

Equipped with a natural gas engine, aerodynamic design and application of low viscosity lubricants, see how the third iteration of Shell’s Starship Initiative could help shape a potential pathway to a lower-carbon future for natural gas powertrains.

Since 2018, the Shell Starship Initiative has aimed to demonstrate how Class 8 truck sector energy usage can be reduced by leveraging existing energy-efficient technologies. Designed to further push the boundaries of freight tonne efficiency (FTE) and fuel economy, is the 3rd generation Starship truck.

Challenge

Transport emissions have been growing at an annual rate of 1.7% since 1990 and account for more than 33% of CO2 emissions from end-use sectors1. The CRT sector has a pivotal role to play in moving goods more efficiently2. Especially when you consider that, despite representing only 1% of all vehicles on the road, heavy-duty trucks currently account for 25% of global road-traffic emissions3. 

More pressing still is the fact that the number of these vehicles is projected to nearly double by 2050, putting the need to decarbonise into even starker focus4. And when you consider that this global fleet is not only likely to experience growth over the next few decades, but also diversification in the form of alternative powertrains too – due to various macro-economic and regulatory factors – it’s vital that manufacturers and fleet managers alike take a futureproofing approach to their operations.

Starship driving on the road

Starship 3.0 NG’s advanced aerodynamic design played a role in driving efficiencies as well. Its long, locomotive-style cab made from advanced materials helped to minimise drag coefficient by supporting the transition of airflow to the trailer, reducing fuel consumption while improving driving stability. And at the base of this design sits specially selected low-rolling-resistance tyres from Bridgestone that reduce energy loss and improve fuel consumption.

Starship driving on the road

To support the drive towards greater efficiency for heavy-duty trucks, Starship 3.0 NG also included lower viscosity lubricant technology, in the form of Shell Rotella natural gas engine oil and Shell Spirax transmission and axle oils.

Solution

Thankfully, a future-ready truck does not have to rely on futuristic technologies; the solutions needed to support the industry’s decarbonisation efforts are all available today. From components to consumables, the right technologies are on hand to help heavy-duty fleets effectively decarbonise – all while prioritising cost control. It’s just a question of how you use them.

With Starship 3.0 NG, it was a combination of technologies that contributed to the improved5 fuel economy, FTE, and freight efficiency per kg of CO2 emitted during the 840-mile demonstration run on the US West Coast. One of which was the Cummins X15N™ engine, a 15-litre natural gas engine powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). Where available, renewable natural gas (RNG), a low-carbon transportation fuel made from organic waste, can reduce carbon emissions even further6. The fuel is versatile too, as it can be interchanged with CNG and liquid natural gas (LNG) in transport vehicles.

Results

Together, these solutions have helped Starship 3.0 NG to deliver improvements over the US average for diesel Class 8 trucks5 of:

  • 2.547 times better freight tonne efficiency (FTE) assessed on a tonne-miles per gallon basis
  • 3.238 times better freight tonne efficiency (FTE) on a tonne-miles per kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted basis.

By more than doubling the average freight tonne efficiency (FTE), Starship 3.0 NG demonstrates that it’s possible to use currently available technology - fuels, drivetrains, lubricants, advanced aerodynamics and more - to radically improve fuel efficiency, total cost of operations and carbon emissions. However, more than that, it shows that this progress is only possible when the right experts are brought together.

Starship driving on the road

The Starship Initiative is a product of collaboration – proving that working together across disciplines, fleets, OEMs, energy companies and fuel and lubricant providers can help the commercial road transport sector reach net zero, faster. Starting today. 

Disclaimers

1 International Energy Agency. “”. July 2023.

2 World Economic Forum. “." October 2020.

3 World Economic Forum. “”. August 2021.

4 Shell-based analysis, including: Shell Sky Scenario.

5 Parameters for average US diesel and NG trucks provided by NACFE.

6 US Environmental Protection Agency. "”. January 2021.

7 Natural gas converted to Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE).

8 Comparison on basis of tailpipe emissions in CO₂ equivalent. Emission factors and fuel parameters derived from the CA-GREET3.0 model. August 2018.