Finland Backs LNG for HGV Fuel

Finnish Gasum is working further with transporter DB Schenker as two Finnish transport companies operating for DB Schenker, Sepi Trans and K&O Tiilikainen, have started to use LNG in their heavy-duty vehicles. The state-run company is responsible for building refuelling stations.

DB Schenker is a global transport and logistics company whose choices can reduce the sector's emissions, Gasum said March 8. The company intends to reduce 30% of its carbon dioxide emissions during the period between 2006 and 2020. The way to achieve the target is to use cleaner modes of transport, with one of these being LNG-powered tractor units.

"Transport generates a great deal of carbon dioxide emissions. LNG is an effective way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty transport,” said DB Schenker.

Up to 90% of goods in the Nordic countries are transported by road. In Finland, delivery and heavy-duty transport account for almost 40% of road transport emissions. Up to a fifth of Finland’s emissions could be eliminated by switching to gas as a road vehicle fuel.

”Finnish transport emissions must be cut by 50% by 2030 from the 2005 level. Compared with other emissions-generating sectors, the contribution of the transport sector will have to be the greatest. There is also major interest in LNG among transport entrepreneurs – they want to be part of the change and lead the way. LNG is also a cheaper alternative for transport companies than other fuels such as diesel,” said Gasum.

The Vantaa-based Sepi Trans received its first gas-fuelled traction unit, a Volvo FH 460, in January 2019 and the Helsinki-based K&O Tiilikainen’s traction unit fleet was supplemented by another gas-fuelled one, an Iveco Stralis NP, in December last year.

The Finnish gas fuelling station network is one of the fastest-growing ones in Europe. Both K&O Tiilikainen and Sepi Trans agree that the coverage of the filling station network is sufficient in their operating areas. Gasum is expanding its Nordic gas filling station network by several new stations a year.