abstract
- Governmental authorities and fleet managers are interested in actionable insights that could reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions in the ground transport sector. Aiming to address this interest, we propose a methodology based on dimensionless numbers for comparing non-technology-related factors influencing vehicle fuel consumption, such as driving patterns and transport infrastructure. Aiming to illustrate the applicability of this methodology, the daily operational conditions of heavy-duty vehicles with the same technology were observed for a prolonged period (>2.5 years) in three diverse regions. Results revealed that topography is the most relevant (60%) factor influencing fuel consumption in Colombia (62%) and Ecuador (51%), while driving habits are the leading cause of excess fuel consumption in Mexico (49%). © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.