Do More with Less

The transport sector is in a critical transition, in which existing measures to increase efficiency and reduce energy demand must be deepened and extended for compliance with the Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS). This process should be set in motion over the next decade, as any delay would require that stricter measures be taken beyond 2030, which could noticeably raise the cost of reaching climate targets.

Combined efforts across all transport modes, accompanied by power sector decarbonization, will play a crucial role in achieving SDS goals. In addition to CO2 emissions, the SDS targets air quality improvements. Adopting cleaner fuels and enacting tighter emissions control standards for vehicles would improve outdoor air quality in the developed and developing world alike. Road vehicles – cars, trucks, buses and two- and three-wheelers – account for nearly three-quarters of transport CO2 emissions.

We are looking for startups that are able to get trucks to comply with stricter emission standards through retrofitting of green tech and to improve the fuel efficiency of the road freight transport as well as energy efficiency solutions applicable in the warehouse and logistics centers. This will significantly improve energy efficiency, lower CO2 emissions, and boost the green jobs market across South East Asia.

Some of the energy efficiency solutions include:

• Fuel Switch where possible (Biofuels, liquid or gaseous, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells)

• Battery Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles with plug-in

• Aerodynamic Improvements of Vehicles

• Trailer and Auxiliary Design

• Smart Metering Systems for Cargo Loading and Unloading

• Engine Adjustments

• Energy Efficient Tiers

• Renewable Energy for Logistics Business Operations and Daily Activities, which goes along with Bulb Replacement and Automated Lighting Systems or Energy-efficient HVAC Systems

In many cases, devising ways to become energy-efficient involves activities that benefit the environment and simultaneously cut costs. Whether you replace light bulbs or have fuel-efficient trucks, the Return on Investment (ROI) happens quickly.

We are looking for Start-ups that can solve the problem of low fuel efficiency in road transport and shift the industry from petroleum-burning vehicles to those that use less-polluting alternative fuels, but also bring greener solutions to old fleets.

It is important to consider the old fleets that companies are using to provide transport services, and they are dominated by heavy-duty vehicles using diesel fuel. For old fleets, start-ups should suggest solutions so that companies are able to use their present assets until expiration. This is to cut costs as well as to protect the environment from intensive automobile industry waste.

In cases where materials can be extracted from the waste, companies should account for those in their life cycle to ensure that the raw material serves as added value. Recycling processes should also ensure that the final product uses less energy in the overall life cycle, and not just an extract from the waste, to be considered as a recycled product.