A family-run company steps on the gas

Austrian haulier Nothegger Transport Logistik sees the use of LNG trucks as another piece of the puzzle on the path to “green logistics”.

Source: Nothegger Transport Logistik GmbH

The Austrian company Nothegger Transport Logistik GmbH, based in St. Ulrich am Pillersee, has been championing sustainable goods haulage for decades. Founded in 1992, the transport and logistics company now has 15 international subsidiaries and a fleet of 700 vehicles. The Austrians’ Europe-wide logistics network covers the entire transport world in multimodal transport. It even has its own network of block train connections on the main routes between Germany and southern Italy.

Every year, Nothegger transfers more than 55 million kilometres of road to the railway, thus avoiding around 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. But that is not the only way the logistics specialist is making a major contribution to environmental protection: it also uses biodiesel and, of course, LNG-powered trucks. LNG-powered trucks have been deployed for regular services between Austria and Germany since February 2019. The vehicles are significantly quieter than conventional diesel trucks. But more importantly, they emit virtually no nitrogen oxides or particulate matter. And despite their 460 HP, the range of the LNG-powered Iveco trucks is up to 1.500 kilometres, which is roughly similar to conventional diesel vehicles.

Conspicuous trailer, but quite inconspicuous and therefore climate-friendly tug with an LNG instead of diesel drive. Source: Nothegger Transport Logistik GmbH

The use of LNG is another piece of the puzzle in Nothegger’s efforts to optimise “green logistics”. Reduced exhaust emissions, less noise and greater independence from fluctuations in diesel prices were just a few of the arguments in favour of LNG vehicles. That said, the Ukrainian conflict meant that the company also had to contend with massive price fluctuations for LNG, the company admitting that “there was a time when it was unprofitable to drive on LNG. Since then, it has started paying off again. However, it calls for precise refuelling planning.”

This is why the Austrians, who also rely on innovative methods such as cross-docking, recently invested in additional LNG Ivecos for their fleet. Cross-docking? This is not new propulsion technology, but a variant for transporting goods faster and more efficiently. Incoming goods from various sources are sorted and forwarded directly, without intermediate storage. This reduces inventory requirements and enables deliveries to be sent to customers more quickly – including using one of the LNG Ivecos.

The logistics specialist’s latest Iveco LNG-powered trucks. Source: Nothegger Transport Logistics

Other than the two round tanks containing the ultra-cold liquefied gas, the LNG trucks look no different from a diesel. Even with fossil LNG in the tank, huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions are saved on a kilometre-by-kilometre basis compared to diesel: 15% less CO₂, 35% less nitrogen oxides and an eye-popping 95% less particulate matter. Using bio-LNG/LBG (liquefied biogas) is almost CO₂-neutral.d

Source: Nothegger Transport Logistics

For the Tyrolean family-owned company, it is clear that renewable and alternative fuels are becoming more and more popular and important in logistics, and will be indispensable in the coming years “because global climate change must be tackled in a targeted manner,” as Nothegger puts it. Because the Austrians are passionate about this issue, Nothegger Transport Logistik has even received a Klimaaktiv award from WHO Europe’s Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP) and the European Economic Commission (UNECE) for exemplary measures on the road to emission-free mobility. (jas, 4 May 2023)