Fig.: Spectaire

Of course, it's purely coincidental that the cooperation between the automotive logistics company Mosolf and the US company "Spectaire" sounds like the 2015 James Bond thriller "Spectre". CEO Jörg Mosolf arrives in Berlin with a micro-mass spectrometer, mountable on trucks, in his suitcase. 

Mosolf, of stocky build and with a mischievous sense of humor, refrains from bringing the "AirCore" case and its instruments onto the stage, despite the temptation. The device weighs approximately 11 kg, costs around 2000 US dollars according to the US manufacturer Spectaire, based near Boston, and can be admired at the stand in the "Intercontinental" hotel just a few meters away. The measurement method was developed and patented by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

“ AirCore ” suitcase . Photo: Spectaire

The term "defeat device," which led to heavy fines for diesel vehicle manufacturers in the United States when the emissions scandal first came to light, is no longer tolerated here. The mass spectrometer is considered virtually incorruptible and measures pollutants in the exhaust stream down to the molecular level.

Moderator Ulrich Müller-Steinfahrt, head of the Institute for Applied Logistics at the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences, skillfully uses the opportunity to outline the problems of CO₂ reduction and suitable measurement methods. Currently, there are no stringent regulations on how to measure actual emissions – whether directly, indirectly via vehicle routes and standard CO₂ values ​​for each kilometer driven, or directly on-site using real-world data.

The « man with the suitcase » (left) Photo: klk.

It's clear, says Jörg Mosolf, that something must be done to meet the EU target of reducing emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. Even the failure to submit a sustainability report can result in hefty fines, quickly reaching millions and potentially amounting to up to ten percent of a company's revenue. The legislative pressure that has built up is enormous. A quick survey conducted among the audience via app revealed that of the 60 business leaders present, the vast majority are only taking action due to government regulations, a quarter because it's part of their corporate strategy, and another quarter because they feel a responsibility to society. Many companies, says Müller-Steinfarth, report on "one or two measures." Only 45 percent actually measure their emissions. Often, the basis for these measurements isn't even made transparent. Deviations of up to 50 percent – ​​with otherwise identical baseline emissions values ​​– are not uncommon, depending on the procedures and methods used.

Clear statements are becoming increasingly important. Andrea Goemann from the transport service provider JAS points out that US banks now also ask about a sustainability strategy when granting loans – otherwise, the money supply is quickly cut off.

Mosolf, for its part, will be working with real-time measurement of propulsion emissions in the future. According to the manufacturer, Spectaire's "AireCore" measures the molecular composition of up to 18 gas samples per minute with an accuracy of three millionths of a gram (3 ppm). This determines not only the pure CO₂ emissions, but also all other emissions relevant as CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e), such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

U. Müller-Steinfahrt. Photo: klk.

The integrated internet connection allows real-time data to be transmitted to a certified database and used immediately. Furthermore, Spectaire AireCore can be integrated into the telematics systems typically already installed in trucks. This enables route-based, truck-based, and fleet-based emissions reports to be accessed at any time via a dedicated app. The data can also be used for comprehensive CO₂e accounting of a company's own fleet.

“On our chosen path towards lower-emission transport options, the CO₂ balance is an important tool for making the right decisions. After visiting Spectaire at MIT and seeing the technology combined with their application know-how firsthand, we were convinced that we had found a long-term and innovative partner for our success ,” reports Mosolf.

In September 2023, an auditor and evaluator was commissioned to assess the current development and manufacturing status of the Spectaire AireCore solution. A team of experts was dispatched to Michigan to evaluate Spectaire's design, testing, and manufacturing facilities on-site. The assessment concluded that the AireCore product met the functional specifications and was ready for application in vehicles. Further certifications and testing are planned once AireCore has reached the required level of maturity for European commercial vehicle standards.

Photo: BVL

Mosolf itself is currently increasing its own truck fleet from five electric trucks to 15 in 2024 ("But that will only be 1.5 percent of our fleet"), and gradually increasing the company's own solar power plants to up to 120 MWh.

The German Logistics Association (Bundesverband Logistik) has, in a working group on sustainable logistics, designed a kind of "enclosure" for calculating emissions in road freight transport, which also takes warehousing and WMS considerations into account.

www.mosolf.com

www.bvl.de