Investment in environmental protection

Company puts the road capability of liquefied natural gas propulsion to the test – Plans to further expand the LNG fleet – Currently the only environmentally compatible alternative in long-distance transportation – Reduced CO₂ footprint – 95 percent less particles

 

Würfel Spedition, a company specialised in jumbo swap body transportation, has extended its vehicle fleet by adding several Iveco semitrailer tractors powered by environmentally compatible liquefied natural gas (LNG). The company which was established 75 years ago intends to test the road capability of the environmentally compatible fuel alternative. The share of LGN vehicles in the company’s own fleet could be considerably ramped up in the future. Würfel therefore continues to opt for green technologies which reduce the CO₂ footprint and particle emissions, thereby improving its customers’ climate footprint.

“As an operator of a more than 400-strong fleet of vehicles, we bear great responsibility. Our aim is to improve our own CO₂ footprint and thus also that of our customers by choosing the most environmentally compatible mode of transport. We will therefore be cutting our pollutant emissions significantly in the coming years and will invest in a targeted manner in efficient drive technologies,” explains Karim Gebara, Managing Director of Würfel Holding GmbH. In addition, Gebara is convinced that LNG is currently “the only real alternative to diesel, while hydrogen and battery-driven electric trucks are more suitable for the short-distance segment”.

LNG stands for “Liquefied Natural Gas”. The methane gas used is cooled to minus 145 degrees Celsius, which liquefies it. Würfel’s new semi-trailers therefore have specially isolated vehicle tanks. Iveco uses a saturated LNG variant which, at a temperature of minus 130 degrees Celsius, independently builds up the gas pressure, thereby dispensing with a fuel pump.

In comparison with diesel drive offering the same power, the liquid gas technology offers the advantage of significantly easing the burden of pollutants on the environment. While CO₂ emissions are reduced by at least 15 percent, particle pollution is 95 percent lower. The exhaust releases mainly steam. If the liquid gas in use is based on biomethane, CO₂ figures decline by as much as 95 percent.

An increasing proportion of biomethane is meanwhile being added to the natural gas. It corresponds to natural gas in its chemical composition but is not of fossil origin. Biogas is produced from plants and biowaste and, during incineration, only releases the same amount of CO₂ into the atmosphere as the plants absorb when growing.

Another advantage of gas is the much quieter combustion process. Moreover, natural gas is non-toxic and does not smell. It is also transported by underground pipelines to the service stations which relieves the pressure on road transport.

Iveco has a wealth of experience in gas-powered engines. Around 25 years ago, the group engaged in developing a petrol engine powered by methane gas. Today Iveco offers the most advanced and broadest range of vehicles powered by natural gas in Europe.