With the amount of deliveries skyrocketing in recent years, as online shopping continues to increase in popularity, it means the emissions of vehicles used to deliver these goods have also seen increased numbers, writes Jen Neale of Dover Fueling Solutions. Today, transport emissions represent around 25% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In fact, emissions from transport have been on the rise since 2021, nearly rising back to pre-pandemic figures, with heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) being the second largest contributors only behind cars responsible for 28% of climate emissions from road transport in Europe, while accounting for only 2% of the vehicles on the road. The natural increase in HGV and long-haul deliveries means many companies may be looking at alternative fuels to reduce the emissions produced. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) could be that solution, and many may not realize some delivery companies are already employing them for deliveries.
With the concentration of LNG refueling stations increasing across the continent, the majority of which are in Western Europe and Asia, many of the items ordered from depots might actually have been shipped using LNG fleets. Fueling company Dover Fueling Solutions® has offered expert insight into the benefits of LNG and identifies which brands you might not have realized have already invested.
Why use LNG?
Natural gas is still an abundant resource that can be utilized as LNG to act as an alternative fuel source to traditional fuels. On emissions alone they offer a welcome change, producing 40% less carbon dioxide than other non-renewable fuels, making it one of the cleanest fossil fuels available. Plus, with LNG being clean burning and bio-LNG being created from organic waste, CO2 emissions can be reduced up to 100%.
A huge benefit is that they’re imported into Europe and the UK from several markets around the globe, meaning it’s not expected to see cost increases like those currently seen with electricity. Nor is it connected with the price of oil, so it can result in being 10% – 25% cheaper than diesel, depending on the market. For HGV drivers, LNG doesn’t take away from the driving experience or the performance of the vehicle but in fact offers one very important positive: they are compliant with current and expected future emission standards. Not only will this mean that vehicles fuelled by LNG should be able to enter environmental zones toll-free, but they will also play a huge part in delivering a net zero 2050.
One additional benefit is LNG engines are 50% quieter than diesel engines, meaning they’re within territory for a peak quiet certification for a Truck in Silent mode of 71dB(A). This means that loading times can be more flexible to provide a greater quality of life in city centres, as well as being an improvement for late-night deliveries to not disturb quieter areas.
Who is already incorporating LNG into their deliveries?
If you’re planning on getting your weekly food shopping delivered to your home, it’s likely it was delivered by a fleet employing LNG. Major supermarkets have been investing in LNG, and in the UK alone, two of the giants, Tesco and Asda, have both made the switch. This trend has continued throughout Europe with Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona, EDEKA in Germany, and Dutch chain Albert Heijn improving their efforts to employ the use of LNG in their fleets. Lidl is another chain that has been pushing for alternative gases within its fleet, employing both LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel its delivery services in Switzerland.
Beyond supermarkets, major international delivery companies are investing more in alternative fuels like LNG. DHL has forecast a reduction in carbon emissions by 2,200 tonnes through replacing 20 diesel vehicles with LNG specifically for its M&S fleet.
Global LNG Fleet
Amazon has become a powerhouse in deliveries globally and in 2021 added 1,000 CNG trucks to their European fleet, showing how prevalent the shift towards these alternative fuels has become. Evri and UPS have followed suit and have begun investing heavily in LNG to expand the eco-approach to transport logistics. This could mean many of the items you’ve ordered online are potentially being shipped or delivered by a vehicle utilizing an LNG or CNG engine.
The shift towards LNG being incorporated into transport logistics strategies as a transitional fuel marks a much wider evolution in the way the transport and shipping industry approaches its fueling. Consumer behaviours are also transitioning as they become more aware of how sustainable and environmentally friendly the products they buy are, including how they are delivered. Knowing their orders are being delivered in a way that isn’t contributing to further emissions can offer the environmentally-conscious consumer greater peace of mind.
A greener future for generations to come is something you simply can’t put a price on.
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