German study recommends launch of LNG trucks
A study by the German Energy Agency (dena) has recommended the launch of LNG trucks to improve the country’s carbon footprint in the transport sector.
Road haulage in Germany, which depends almost entirely on mineral oil, is growing significantly, leading to rising greenhouse gas emissions. LNG, as an alternative fuel, has the potential to diversify the energy supply and reduce the carbon footprint of road freight transport and transported goods.
Commenting on the study’s results, dena’s CEO, Stephan Kohler, stated: “dena supports the EU Commission’s strategy of establishing LNG as an alternative to diesel. However, to ensure the successful launch of LNG in the transport market, politics and industry must act in concert. Industry will not invest in LNG filling stations or LNG trucks until the government provides reliable framework conditions.”
LNG market entry requires transparent political strategy
Between 1990 and 2012, emissions produced by heavy-duty road transport increased by 40% and are expected to rise further. LNG trucks are already operating successfully in the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US. In contrast, Germany has neither LNG filling stations nor LNG test truck fleets.
The EU’s “Clean Power for Transport” strategy requires Germany to develop a national policy framework advancing the establishment of a LNG filling station network by 2016. The dena study investigates the potential of LNG in heavy goods vehicle traffic and suggests actions promoting the LNG market launch. Key political proposals include specific targets for the establishment of LNG as a fuel, swift extension of the energy tax reduction on natural gas and biomethane, and the integration of gas-powered commercial vehicles in public fleets.
Kohler added: “The market alone will not lead to the desired result – the government has to coordinate the launch of LNG in the transport market politically, for instance in the context of an inter-ministerial platform. A good example of a government-supported market development platform is dena’s Initiative for Natural-Gas-Based Mobility.”
The study entitled “LNG in Germany: Liquefied Natural Gas and Renewable Methane in Heavy-Duty Road Transport” is available to download at www.dena.de/lng-study.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward
Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/10102014/study-by-dena-recommends-lng-trucks-1576/
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