Turku adopts LNG-powered truck for waste management services

The LNG-powered Scania G 340 LA4x2MNA was purchased by Gasum, and will fill up with LNG at a gas filling station located at the Port of Turku since Autumn 2016.

The truck will transport sewage sludge 16 km from the Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant to the Topinoja biogas plant between five and six times per day, five days per week. It will replace a diesel-powered truck that was previously used for this operation.

Mika Jukkara, Product Manager from Scania Suomi Oy, said: “This is Scania’s first LNG-powered gas truck in Finland. The demand for gas trucks has increased considerably over the last year, and it looks like it will only continue to grow. Taking environmental matters into account is also a key factor in the transport industry.”

In addition to this, the City of Turku claims that it is striving for carbon neutrality with gas and other means. For instance, in September 2016, the EU-funded CIVITAS ECCENTRIC project commenced, testing biogas-powered cars and ways of increasing the use of biogas in logistics. Gasum is looking to verify the environmental benefits of biogas-powered trucks and buses. Turku is also looking to achieve carbon neutrality by electrifying public transport and expanding the use of biofuels, amongst other things.

Aleksi Randell, Mayor of Turku, said: “Turku aims to become a carbon-neutral city by 2040, and we want to be involved in the promotion of the utilisation of new environmentally friendly practices in the Turku region. Turku is committed to promoting low-emission traffic. The LNG-powered trucks travelling between the Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant and the Topinoja biogas plant are an important addition to the circular economy of Turku. Turku is also in the process of carrying out the first round of tenders for purchasing a gas-powered van and three multi-purpose cars for the city’s use.”

Jerkko Jyläntö, Logistics Manager at Gasum, added: “It was an obvious choice to choose a vehicle powered by liquefied biogas for the urban conditions in Turku. This reduces not only the emissions released from the exhaust pipe but also the noise disturbance caused by the truck.”

Finland’s first LNG filling stations are located in Vuosaari in Helsinki and in Turku. The country’s next two stations will be opened in 2017 at Jyväskylä and Vantaa. Gaum will reportedly adopt a second LNG-powered truck from Iveco in late spring. This will be used to transport fertiliser to local farmers from the Vehmaa biogas plant.

The Turku LNG filling station is located at the address Tuontiväylä 2.