CNG trucks: (natural) gas as fuel
The DRÄXLMAIER Group’s transport logistics has been successfully deploying CNG trucks in Malaysia and Thailand since 2015. Besides the reduction in CO2e, CNG trucks effectively lower exhaust emissions such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides and additional particulates and also cut noise exposure compared with diesel trucks.
Brief description
The aim is to constantly improve the company’s ecological footprint. Accordingly, the DRÄXLMAIER Group’s transport logistics have been using CNG trucks in Malaysia and Thailand since 2015. CNG is natural gas that is compressed to 200 bar, permitting clean and low-emissions transportation.
DRÄXLMAIER has for example been collaborating with a transport service provider since early June 2015 who is one of the first local companies to concentrate on sustainable forms of propulsion. The freight forwarder transports sea containers in Malaysia over a distance of 250 km from Ipoh to Port Klang using trucks propelled by natural gas.
In 2017, DRÄXLMAIER transport logistics achieved a total saving of 416 tonnes of CO2e through the use of trucks with alternative powertrains and through innovative transportation concepts such as combined road-rail freight transport (766,000 km).
The use of natural gas trucks now means that around 18% CO2e in terms of “tank to wheel” can now be saved on every journey.
Besides the reduction in CO2e, CNG trucks effectively lower emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen and sulphur oxides and particulates and also cut noise exposure compared with diesel trucks.
Transport distance
- 350 km
Greenhouse gas reduction potential
- Up to approx. 18 per cent lower CO2e emissions compared with petroleum-based fuels in terms of “tank to wheel”
- Virtually no soot particulates and does not require filters or additives (e.g. AdBlue)
- Admixture of up to 100 % bio-methane
Transferability & challenges
- Payback for higher costs of procurement over the useful life
- Low diesel prices in Germany and other countries
- Flexibility of staff and vehicles through changes in working conditions
Requirements for third parties
- State assistance for filling stations / infrastructure at strategically important transportation hubs
- Long-term energy tax differentiation
- Special asset write-downs
- Exemption from HGV tolls for alternative powertrains
- Manufacturers must lower the costs of procurement; therefore subsidies necessary for at least 1,000 CNG and LNG trucks in order to generate effects of scale and leverage cost reduction potential
Requirements for third parties already met:
- State assistance for each truck and semi-trailer:
- € 8,000 for CNG
- € 12,000 for LNG
- Subsidies are limited to € 500,000 per company
- € 10 million is available in 2018 (the scheme is currently due to expire at the end of 2020)
Do you have any further questions about this best practice?
We’ll be happy to help you at logistik@2grad.org.