ENERGY EFFICIENT TRANSPORT
FUELLING THE ROUTE TO GREEN TRANSPORTATION
As motorists continue to embrace greener transport, many drivers will be considering which clean fuel is best for them.
Dover Fueling Solutions examines the benefits of hydrogen, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and electricity
T
he road to carbon-neutrality is a rocky one for vehicles, with barriers to adoption including
price, range and refueling/charging anxieties. But as the transport industry moves towards Net Zero, hydrogen, electric, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) each offer their own distinct benefits for transportation.
HYDROGEN Hydrogen would appear to be a strong choice for long-haul, heavy-duty vehicles and other commercial transport, and we are already starting to see the first fuel cell trucks appearing on the European market recently. The Hydrogen truck lends itself to the mass
mileage demands of HGV haulage. Hyundai’s current Xcient model, for instance, can travel 400 miles on a single tank, while Volvo is pouring millions into the development of its own hydrogen- powered alternative with a range of 1000km. Volvo’s simple nozzle-to-pump dispensation
will also appeal to motorists. To fully flourish, however, greater
infrastructure is needed to support future fuel development. Hydrogen investment is growing but not as quickly as that of electric vehicles (EV). However, in Germany, the total number of hydrogen refueling stations is expected to reach 85 by 2025 and 300 by 2030. Despite this, cumulative hydrogen investment totals €40 billion, which lags behind EV at €51 billion. One other thing to note when it comes to this
future fuel is the cost. In Germany, for example, the average price of fuel per 100km is €7.60 for hydrogen, compared with €9.05 for diesel and €11.74 for petrol.
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS CNG is widely accepted to be the ‘cleanest fossil fuel’. Its chemical properties mean it is compressed to less than 1% of its volume, while it reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 90 to 97%. Although it is a non-renewable source,
26
having been formed millions of years ago from decomposing plants and animals, CNG is non-toxic and has fiscal benefits too – every 1% increase in natural gas production can create 35,000 jobs. Statistically, CNG is 30% more efficient than petrol with a vehicle able to travel the same distance on 6/7 litres of CNG as 10 litres of petrol. As with any fuel, pricing is subject to global market conditions, but it remains the cheapest non- renewable energy source. Its nozzle-to-pump refuelling method is also a clear user benefit. Despite this, there are currently only 4159
refilling stations across Europe. However, almost any petrol vehicle can be retrofitted with a CNG system for around €3000 to €5000, which could make it a shrewd alternative to other clean fuels. In CNG market leaders Germany, the fuel
compares favourably in terms of price too. The average cost of fuel is €6.48 per 100km for CNG, compared to €9.05 for diesel and €11.74 for petrol.
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS LNG is another derivative of the abundant natural gas, formed when natural gas is compressed and cooled to -162˚C. The International Energy Agency estimates that, if consumption remains at present levels, there are enough resources to last 230 years. Again, much like its counterpart CNG, LNG is a cleaner fossil fuel, producing 40% less carbon dioxide than coal and 30% less than oil. It is also clean and quiet burning, while its familiar refilling method should appeal to drivers. LNG infrastructure may be embryonic, but it is fast growing. There are around 635 LNG stations on the continent with the bulk concentrated in Western Europe: Germany with 162, Italy with 130 and Spain with 90, This represents a network that has doubled in size in less than two years. Ultimately, consumers want energy to be
affordable, secure and capable of driving down carbon emissions. LNG ticks all these boxes.
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2023
Furthermore, its cost-competitive benefits mean it has strong potential for commercial transport.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES While the hydrogen propulsion method first gained traction in the early 2000s, this has been supplanted in recent years by the rise of EVs. The European market is currently leading the
charge on the global stage with 1,390,000 units sold across the continent per year. By 2030, every second car sold is expected to be powered by electricity. This has serious potential for the general
motorist. Massive investments are being made across EMEA as countries pour billions into charging infrastructure. The Netherlands is currently blazing the trail with 90,000 charging points as of 2022, while Europe plans to have 1.3 million public chargers in place by 2025 and 2.9 million by 2030. Price points also offer mainstream charging potential. In the Netherlands, the average cost of electricity per 100km is €5.31 compared to €8.66 for diesel and €12.32 for petrol. Home and workplace charging stations, meanwhile, remain safe and easy to use, with drivers simply plugging their vehicle into the charge point. Despite this, charging times, range anxieties and initial cost remain main barriers to adoption.
EXPLORING THE OPTIONS As the world, and the transport industry, move towards Net Zero, it’s likely all four options will be an integral part of the decarbonisation mix, each with their own distinct benefits. In fact, each offers something unique, so you should take time to explore your options and make a well-informed decision on which of these future fuel alternatives will suit your business goals and lifestyle the best.
Dover Fueling Solutions
www.doverfuelingsolutions.com
www.essmag.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
