Shell Starship Initiative 鈥� accelerating towards a lower carbon future
Since its launch in 2018, the Shell Starship initiative has strived to push the boundaries of energy efficient truck design.
With each generation of the Starship, Shell continues to demonstrate how the Commercial Road Transport sector can collaborate to reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions by harnessing the best of currently available technologies as the industry looks to trusted partners like Shell, to help accelerate their progress with decarbonization solutions.
Both the first- and second-generation versions of the Shell Starship achieved market leading results as we continued to improve on our own success with demonstration runs resulting in improved fuel economy and increased freight-ton efficiency far exceeding the national average for Class 8 Diesel Trucks.
The Shell Starship 3.0 Natural Gas (NG) continued to build on this success, but with a Cummins X15N鈩� natural gas engine, again achieving exceptional results with more than triple the national average for Class 8 diesel truck in freight-ton efficiency assessed on a tonmiles per kg of CO2e emitted basis3 .
Taking the learnings from the previous versions, the Starship Initiative has gone global with the Shell Starship 3.0 Hybrid in China. We will continue to innovate with our partners in China to provide valuable insights and learnings for the commercial road transport sector as it accelerates toward a lower carbon future. With the right support, it鈥檚 how we will lead the way to power progress together.
Shell Starship 2.0
Shell Starship 2.0 demonstrated how current technologies can lead to carbon reduction in commercial road transport. The Shell Starship 2.0 used learnings from the 1st Starship and featured an updated chassis and drivetrain, advanced innovative technologies, fuel saving technology and advanced lubricants, all brought together within the same aerodynamic design to optimize performance and efficiency.
Shell Starship 3.0 Natural Gas
Having achieved such excellent results with a diesel engine, Shell Starship 3.0 NG continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with a new Cummins X15N鈩� natural gas engine.
Similar to its predecessors, the truck also included components and features that promote lightweighting, low aerodynamic drag, and low rolling resistance tires. Shell Starship 3.0 NG operated using a low-viscosity Shell Rotella natural gas engine oil and Shell Spirax transmission and axle oils.
While operating near the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds for a Class 8 truck, the Shell Starship 3.0 NG demonstration run achieved improvements over the U.S. average for diesel class 8 trucks1 of 2.542 times better freight ton efficiency (FTE) assessed on a ton-miles per gallon basis and 3.23 times3 better FTE assessed on a ton-miles per kg of CO2e emitted basis.
1 Parameters for average US diesel truck provided by NACFE.
2 Natural gas converted to Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE)
3 Comparison on basis of tailpipe emissions in CO2 equivalent. Emission factors and fuel parameters derived from the CA-GREET3.0 model (released August 13, 2018).
Shell Starship 3.0 Hybrid
A pioneering fuel-efficient and carbon-reducing conceptual truck to lead the decarbonization transformation and energy-efficiency upgrading of China's commercial vehicle transportation industry. The Starship 3.0 Hybrid is equipped with many of the same aerodynamic components and features as the Starship 2.0 and 3.0 NG, but with an improved streamline design that is even more wind resistant than its predecessors.
For the Starship 3.0 Hybrid, we also partnered with Chinese OEM, FAW. The truck features FAW Advanced Hybrid Power and runs on Shell Bio-Diesel for even further carbon reduction. Stay tuned for exciting updates and results from our inaugural demonstration run of the Shell Starship 3.0 Hybrid in China.
About Shell Starship
Aerodynamic Design
- Carbon fiber cab designed for low aerodynamic drag
- Integrated engine heat extractors on the truck skirt
- Automatic gap sealer provides seamless continuity between the truck and trailer
- Full-length side skirts minimise air movement under the truck and trailer
- Aerodynamic boat tail streamlines air flow around the trailer and reduces drag
Hyper-Fuel Efficiency
- A 5,000 watt solar panel array mounted on the trailer roof helps to charge the main battery bank and reduce engine loading from the alternator
- A wide-based, fuel-efficient tyre setup on the truck and trailer offers reduced weight and rolling resistance for improved fuel economy
- A new drive train configuration optimises fuel efficiency and increases torque
Enhanced Safety
- Stoneridge MirrorEye庐 Camera Monitoring System eliminates driver blind spots, provides a greater field of view, and improves safety for everyone on the road, day and night
- Predictive-adaptive cruise control helps smooth out any variability from the driver
- Improved stability control and Anti-lock Braking System with front, tandem and rear axle disc brakes
- Collision mitigation system with stationary object alert
Advanced Shell Lubricant Technologies
- Shell Rimula and Shell Rotella low viscosity engine oils with advanced synthetic technology
- Shell Spirax S6 GXME 75W-80 transmission fluid
- Shell Rotella ELC coolant
- Shell Gadus S5 V220 2 chassis grease
- Shell Spirax S6 GME 40 wheel hub oil
Take a virtual tour or our Starship 2.0 and Starship
Learn more about the inspiration behind the 2nd and 3rd generation Shell Starship trucks and see how the innovative application of existing technologies led to significant improvements in Freight Ton Efficiency.
Starship 2.0 Diesel
Shell Starship 3.0 Hybrid
Shell Starship 3.0 Natural Gas
Deep dive into our learnings and how they can help you accelerate toward a lower carbon future.
1 Parameters for average US diesel truck provided by NACFE.
2 Natural gas converted to Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE)
3 Comparison on basis of tailpipe emissions in CO2 equivalent. Emission factors and fuel parameters derived from the CA-GREET3.0 model (released August 13, 2018).