Clear CO₂ reduction by 2025

The retailer Edeka is going full throttle on the subject of bio-LNG/LBG. It wants to replace its entire diesel truck fleet with LNG-powered trucks in the next three years. The German company can achieve its ambitious Sustainable Development Goals for climate, resource and water protection as well as biodiversity thanks to an environmentally friendly supply chain.

German retailer Edeka was part of a pilot by Shell Germany for LNG-powered trucks with bio-LNG/LBG in the tank in 2021. Source: Iveco/Christian Schwier/Jonathan Fafengut

Already two years ago, the German retailer Edeka started a pilot test with trucks powered by LNG together with Shell Germany. At that time, the topic of LBG/Bio-LNG was only slowly gaining momentum among our neighbours, but now various players are going full throttle with liquefied biogas! As one of three Shell customers, the retailer 2021 had the opportunity to compare the use of diesel trucks and trucks with LNG propulsion and, above all, liquefied biogas in the tank and to find out the massive savings in CO₂ emissions – up to 95 percent are possible – in real everyday transport.

It was also verified in everyday use that it makes no difference if the trucks are on the road with LNG from sustainable sources instead of fossil LNG, which already allows a CO₂ reduction of 15 to 20 percent compared to diesel. This is because, from a technical point of view, no conversions or special adaptations are required when using LBG/Bio-LNG. The same maintenance intervals also apply. The bio-LNG used in the pilot test was produced from agricultural waste, met the criteria of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive 2 (REDII) and was a product of sustainable circular economy. And – not surprisingly – it was convincing all along the line.

Those responsible for logistics at Edeka recognised the advantage of using bio-LNG/LBG for a more environmentally friendly supply chain. Source: Iveco/Christian Schwier/Jonathan Fafengut

For a more environmentally friendly supply chain, the entire truck fleet is now being converted to the use of bio-LNG/LBG. To realise this, Iveco S-Way with LNG propulsion are now gradually replacing the current diesel models at Deutsche. “By 2025, we want to convert our entire truck fleet – all 700 or so vehicles – to LNG trucks,” explains Mark Rosenkranz, spokesman for the board of Edeka Minden-Hannover. In 2022 alone, the retailer ordered 150 LNG Iveco for this purpose. This year, another 125 Iveco S-Way with LNG propulsion will be added.

This will ensure an enormous CO₂ savings potential, because in the test run and with the use of just three Iveco S-Way LNG, Edeka was able to reduce the CO₂ footprint of the cooperatively organised group of companies by a whopping 81 tonnes on the basis of a well-to-wheel consideration by refuelling a total of 20,583 kilograms of pure bio-LNG. With immediate effect, the more than 80 LNG Iveco vehicles currently in the fleet are already almost CO₂-neutral on the road thanks to the first bio-LNG filling station on the premises of the Edeka logistics centre in Lauenau (D).

A chauffeur refuels liquefied biogas for his LNG-powered truck – currently 80 vehicles are already in use for the German retailer Edeka. Source: Iveco/Christian Schwier/Jonathan Fafengut

“Our truck fleet is the backbone of all our logistics activities and thus the backbone of food supply in our sales area,” Mark Rosenkranz explains further. “The switch to bio-LNG is a key lever in reducing our carbon footprint. In this way, we are fulfilling our social responsibility for more climate protection. This is all the more important because our vehicles travel a lot and often through highly congested inner cities. By using bio-LNG, we are helping to significantly improve urban emission levels. In addition, the gas-powered trucks are many times quieter than classic diesel vehicles.”

Thanks to their own bio-LNG filling station on the premises of the Edeka logistics centre in Lauenau (D) from Alternoil GmbH, the LNG Iveco are almost CO₂-neutral on the road. Source: Iveco/Christian Schwier/Jonathan Fafengut

The LNG vehicles now on order are Iveco S-Way with a fully air-suspended 6×2 standard chassis with a gross weight of 26 tonnes, Active-Space large-capacity cab, liftable and steerable trailing axle and a 460 hp Cursor 13 gas engine. A 540-litre LNG tank is installed on the left side. It holds at least 195 kilograms of liquid LBG/Bio-LNG, which allows a range of up to 800 kilometres. As well as 4×2 LNG tractor units with a technically permissible gross weight of 44 tonnes. “LBG/Bio-LNG is the only scalable renewable fuel today. For Edeka Minden-Hannover, together with our Iveco S-Way LNG, this means that virtually emission-free road haulage is already a reality,” Christian Sulser, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Iveco Magirus AG, proudly reveals. “700 LNG vehicles are also a clear vote of confidence in the LNG competence of the Iveco brand.” (jas, 6 June 2023)