The average performance of light commercial vehicles has increased during the last
decades. Due to this enhanced performance, the achieved levels of fuel consumption
and CO2 emission reductions are smaller than the engine efficiency improvements
realized in the same period. A possible way to realize this full potential is by
modification of engine characteristics to historic power levels. With modern engine
technology, performance levels of the previous decade can be met with more compact
engines. This can result in a CO2 emissions reduction of 6% to 16%, based on the type
approval test cycle.
Additionally, these vans with more compact and more efficient engines can have
economically interesting consequences for both purchase and operation costs. Besides
smaller and therefore cheaper produced engines, vans consume less fuel and may be
eligible for tax reductions. Cumulatively, these measures can lower total cost of
ownership by 1%-12 %.