Energy Consumption and Environmental Impact of Means of Transport with Conventional and Alternative Powertrains
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B: Energy and Environment".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 April 2026 | Viewed by 11
Special Issue Editors
Interests: exhaust emissions from engines of various categories; measurement of exhaust emissions under real operating conditions; exhaust emissions from flow (jet) engines; alternative aviation fuels; hydrogen combustion in piston and flow (jet) engines; thermal modelling and application of thermoelectric generators in propulsion systems; particle filtration technologies and design of metallic monolithic carriers for DPF filters; measurement of fuel consumption in road vehicles and on the test bed
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: exhaust emissions from vehicles of various categories; measurement of exhaust emissions under real operating conditions; ecological and environmental indicators of harmful exhaust compounds; environmental costs of transport; technical limitations of emission reduction in aviation; alternative aviation fuels; hydrogen as an alternative fuel in transport; hydrogen combustion in piston and flow (jet) engines
Interests: exhaust emissions from vehicles of various categories; energy consumption of alternative and electric drivetrains; fuel cell measurements; actual energy consumption of a hydrogen propulsion system; research on automotive and off-road vehicles; electrical measurements of drive systems; control strategies for alternative systems; analysis of electrical signals from drive systems
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The continuous growth of the global transport demand has led to a steady increase in energy consumption and pollutant emissions, significantly contributing to climate change and urban air quality deterioration. The decarbonisation of transport, one of the key pillars of global climate policy, requires the implementation of advanced propulsion systems, efficient energy management strategies, and a transition towards alternative energy carriers.
Modern transport systems rely on a wide range of propulsion technologies, from conventional internal combustion engines using fossil fuels to hybrid, electric, and hydrogen-based systems. Each of these technologies exhibits distinct characteristics in terms of energy efficiency, fuel consumption, and environmental impact. Comparative assessment of these systems, based on experimental data, modelling, and lifecycle analysis, is crucial to guide policy decisions and technological development towards sustainable mobility.
In conventional powertrains, continuous improvements in combustion control, exhaust aftertreatment, and friction reduction contribute to lower emissions and higher efficiency. However, their long-term sustainability is limited by the dependence on non-renewable resources and the formation of greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, and N2O. In contrast, alternative powertrains, including hybrid systems, battery–electric vehicles, fuel cell systems, and engines powered by hydrogen or renewable fuels, offer substantial emission reductions but present new challenges related to energy storage, production pathways, infrastructure availability, and lifecycle environmental effects.
This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of energy consumption and environmental performance of transport means equipped with both conventional and alternative powertrains. This Special Issue welcomes the submission of research that addresses the full spectrum of transport categories, from road and rail to maritime and air, as well as interdisciplinary studies combining energy efficiency, emission control, sustainability assessment, and system optimisation.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Energy consumption assessment and optimisation of conventional and alternative powertrains;
- Lifecycle analysis (LCA) and carbon footprint of transport systems;
- Real-world emission measurements (RDE, PEMS) and environmental impact assessment;
- Integration of hydrogen, biofuels, and synthetic and e-fuels into combustion and hybrid systems;
- Efficiency and emission characteristics of fuel cell and battery–electric vehicles;
- Hybrid propulsion and energy recovery systems;
- Modelling, simulation, and control of energy flows in advanced propulsion systems;
- Environmental and safety aspects of hydrogen and alternative fuel infrastructure;
- Impact of fuels and propulsion technologies on air quality and greenhouse gas reduction;
- Regulatory frameworks, emission standards, and sustainable transport policies.
We invite researchers to submit original studies, reviews, experimental investigations, and numerical analyses that contribute to improving our understanding and advancement of energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable transport technologies.
Dr. Andrzej Ziółkowski
Dr. Michalina Kamińska
Dr. Maciej Siedlecki
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable transport
- transport decarbonisation
- alternative powertrains
- alternative fuels
- real driving emissions (RDEs)
- energy efficiency
- lifecycle assessment (LCA)
- energy consumption
- air quality impact
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