Research Progress on CO2 Emission Simulation for Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles

Carbon emissions are currently a hot topic in the international community. CO2 reduction from heavy-duty commercial vehicles plays a significant role in slowing down the global greenhouse effect and promoting sustainable development. To control carbon emissions, many countries have tightened CO2 emission regulations and policy requirements for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in recent years. Various CO2 emission simulation models have been developed, such as the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) in the United States and the Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO) in the European Union, to evaluate the real CO2 emission levels of commercial vehicles and provide a scientific basis for formulating corresponding emission reduction policies and control measures. This paper systematically analyzes the CO2 emission regulations and policy requirements for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in the United States, the European Union, China, and other developed countries. It also analyzes the GEM software in the United States, the VECTO software used in Europe, and the energy consumption simulation software for commercial vehicles in China. The influencing factors of CO2 emission simulation are explored in detail. This study found that, although GEM and VECTO software are recognized for their high accuracy, their applications are still dependent on local policies. In other countries and regions, VECTO software has broader applicability. On the other hand, China’s commercial vehicle energy consumption simulation software and other reported studies have only been validated for specific vehicle types. The accuracy and generalizability of these models should be further promoted and verified.