VW to deploy LNG-fueled trucks in north Germany
Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, will deploy over a 100 LNG-fueled Scania trucks on the roads of North Germany as a step towards promoting LNG as a clean fuel.
Scania and Volkwagen, in an arrangement supported by the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, will move VW product using more than 100 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered Scania trucks.
The logistics vehicles will be deployed in northern Germany in an initiative to make the transport activities of the Volkswagen Group more environmentally compatible.
To speed up the implementation, participants recently met at a LNG Truck Day in Wolfsburg. “Lower-emission trucks are a key element in our Green Logistics sustainability initiative, ” Thomas Zernechel, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics, said. “With yesterday’s LNG Truck Day, we provided impetus for the use of trucks with alternative powertrains. However, we can only succeed with strong partners – a concerted effort will bring us onto the right track.”
Logistics support package -
The project is also supported by associations and gas suppliers. At the gathering Volkswagen Group Logistics, Scania, the gas suppliers participating and 18 regional forwarders all gave their support to sustainable logistics. The German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure will provide forwarders with a support package for the purchase of trucks. Gas suppliers are to construct LNG refueling stations in the region.
Frank Bonaldo, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, underlined the relevance of LNG powertrains: “Countries such as Spain, the Netherlands or France are in a significantly better position with regard to LNG supplies for road transport. Germany urgently needs to catch up in order to reach its greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2030: reductions of 55 percent across all consumption sectors and 40 percent in the traffic sector are needed compared with 1990. This is why the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and the Association “Zukunft Erdgas” support this commitment. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has announced public support for manufacturers so that LNG trucks can be offered competitively.”
Reduction of emissions -
LNG is considerably more environmentally compatible than conventional fuels. Scania trucks with an LNG powertrain emit up to 20% less CO2 than comparable diesel engines. The use of regional and local biogas even reduces CO2 emissions by as much as 90% in addition to the improvement in the carbon dioxide balance, these powertrains emit some 95% less nitrogen oxides (NOx). Less particulate matter is produced during combustion and particulate emissions are almost completely avoided (-95%). Compared with diesel engine trucks, the noise levels produced by combustion are reduced by about 50% (-3 db).
Peter Hornig, Managing Director of Scania Germany and Austria, explains: “Currently, CNG (com-pressed natural gas) is the type of natural gas mainly used in the motor fuel sector but LNG (liquefied natural gas) is being used increasingly widely, especially in the long-distance segment. “ Stefan Ziegert, product manager for alternative transport solutions within Scania, adds: “LNG is especially interesting as a fuel for long-distance trucks as technical progress allows a longer range per tankful and it offers the cleanest combustion of any fossil fuel. With today’s LNG technology, a truck can travel up to 1,600 km.”
Sustainable logistics -
The commitment to the use of LNG trucks is part of the Green Logistics initiative of Volkswagen Group Logistics which aims to ensure its activities are sustainable. This is based on the “TOGETHER 2025“ strategy under which the Volkswagen Group has committed itself to responsible management of the environment and the continuous reduction of emissions. Material and vehicle transports are continually being optimized with a view to ideal capacity utilization and the avoidance of empty trips. The transfer of transport operations to more environmentally compatible means of transport plays a key role in emission reduction.
In addition, the powertrain technologies of the current means of transport are being improved and new powertrain types are being reviewed to determine the application possibilities. For example, two LNG-powered ships are to carry Volkswagen Group vehicles between Europe and North America from 2019 onwards. The commitment to the use of LNG trucks by forwarders of the Volkswagen Group is another key step on the way to the use of alternative powertrains in logistics.
Published September 20, 2017 - NGV Global News
