Scope 5 TCR Resource Library – 2016 Mobile Combustion Update

TCR released an update to their emissions factors in April of 2016. The update has been applied to Scope 5’s TCR resource library as of February 13, 2017.

The latest update adds conversion factor sets effective January 1, 2016 and introduces several new Mobile Combustion resources. This announcement discusses the differences between the 2016 update and those of previous years. For background information on the library and to understand where the numbers come from, please refer to the Scope 5 TCR Resource Library – General Notes article.

Mobile Combustion by Model Year

The Mobile Combustion subsection includes six new resources for emissions by Model Year 2013. Three of the six introduced a new resource for Model Year 2013 alone, and three introduced a new resource with a date range ending with Model Year 2013. 

For example, the 2016 resource ‘Diesel Light Duty Trucks - Model Years 1996 -2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)’ replaced five ‘Diesel Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Busses - All Model Years 1960-20XX (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)’ trackers with varying date ranges. This new resource can replace the use of the “Model Years 1983-2012” resource.

The new resources are:

• "Diesel Passenger Cars - Model Years 1983-2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)"
• "Gasoline Light Trucks - Model Years 2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)"
• "Gasoline Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Busses - Model Years 2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)"
• "Gasoline Passenger Car - Model Year 2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)"
• "Diesel Light Duty Trucks - Model Years 1996 -2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)"
• "Diesel Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Busses - All Model Years 1960-2013 (CH4 and N2O) (Model Year) (distance)"

Emissions accounting for Mobile Combustion (such as company fleets, business travel and employee commute) is complicated. For guidance in managing your mobile combustion emissions please contact Scope 5.

Mobile Combustion - Alternative Fuels

Please note that under the Mobile Combustion - Alternative Fuels subsection, conversion factors may be from sources that could have biogenic origins, such as ethanol fuels.  However, there are ethanol sources that aren’t biogenic. None of the Alternative Fuels resources are marked as Biogenic by default. Even the B20 diesel resource, an Alternative Fuel with 20% biogenic diesel fuel, should be handled thoughtfully to appropriately meet reporting requirements. If you are unsure of your approach to managing a mobile fleet, consultation with qualified sustainability professional at Scope 5 may be in order.