Greener logistics: analyzing the impact of truck characteristics and load management for fuel efficiency

Abstract

Fuel efficiency in road freight transport is a critical factor influencing both environmental sustainability and economic performance, as fuel costs represent a substantial share of logistics expenditures. While prior studies have examined vehicle and operational factors affecting fuel consumption, much of the existing literature relies on modeled or aggregated data. This study analyzes data from 296 freight trips in Bataan, Philippines, using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and ordinary least squares with heteroskedasticity-robust (HC3) standard errors. The final regression model, based on a log-transformed specification, demonstrates good explanatory power (R² = 0.605). Results indicate that travel distance and payload weight are the primary statistically significant determinants of fuel efficiency, measured as fuel consumption intensity (L/ton-km). Longer trips and higher payloads are associated with lower fuel consumption per unit of freight, suggesting improved operational efficiency and capacity utilization. In contrast, vehicle-related variables exhibit more nuanced effects. The number of axles is statistically significant and positively associated with fuel consumption intensity, while load type (FTL vs. LTL) does not show a significant independent effect after controlling for other factors. The findings highlight the dominant role of operational variables in shaping freight fuel performance. Although results are associational due to the cross-sectional design, the study provides empirical evidence from observed trip-level data and supports the need for future research using higher-resolution operational and vehicle data.