Customized logistics with biogas

The French Idea Group is a logistics service provider that develops supply chains for exceptional, sensitive products – and uses biogas trucks to do so.

Not only in terms of sustainability, but also in disposition and tracking, the French company relies on promising technologies. Source: Idea Group

French logistics provider Idea is making a conscious decision to use biogas to decarbonize its extensive fleet of no fewer than 426 vehicles. Six of the ten new biogas trucks delivered in 2022 to the company, which also specializes in exceptional transport, replaced a diesel vehicle. By investing in greater sustainability and biogas trucks, the logistics company is also meeting the requirement of its plan to decarbonize its transport fleet by 40 percent by 2025.

The use of biogas instead of diesel, which enables nearly CO₂-neutral transport even with large trucks and for heavy or special loads, is also in line with Idea Group’s corporate social responsibility goals, which call for a 25 percent reduction in its carbon footprint by 2025 and climate neutrality by 2040.

New biogas trucks from Scania and Iveco  will gradually make their way into the fleet of the French logistics specialist. Source: Idea Group

The French have ordered Iveco S-Way CNG tractors on the one hand and Scania G410 A4x2NA tractors on the other. Idea sees these two manufacturers as the most reliable and advanced partners in terms of biogas technology. Before settling on these two brands and these truck models, Idea tested each vehicle with two drivers for a week each in intensive daily use in the Montoir-de-Bretagne region. “Compared to a diesel truck, the comfort in the cab is on par. What really stands out is the quiet operation of the CNG engine and the fact that it doesn’t stink”, reveals Idea driver Olivier with satisfaction. “Even on short trips, you feel like you’re part of the future”, he adds. “And I’m very proud to drive a truck that uses a clean energy source.”

Regardless of whether they are used for short distances or for special transports, the CNG trucks with biogas in the tank enable an almost CO₂-neutral journey in any case. Source: Idea Group

But the tests have not only convinced the logistics company’s truck drivers. Both the reliable drive technology and the high driving comfort as well as the low fuel consumption mean that Idea Group will not only rely on new biogas trucks in 2022. When part of the diesel fleet is renewed, 15 biogas trucks will be added to the fleet in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and as many as 20 biogas trucks in 2026. This means that ultimately, in just over three years, a total of 77 biogas tractor units will be on the road for the French. Idea is investing ten million euros from its own funds for this purpose. The biogas trucks are about 20 percent more expensive than purchasing a diesel truck, but Idea believes that a purely electric alternative would involve disproportionately high costs that the company could not bear on its own.

“Our company aims to offer efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for all its activities. This trend is also followed by the demand from our customers in the transport sector”, explains Frédy Courilleau, director of the transport sector at Idea. “The environmental aspect is becoming increasingly important, and we are being asked to offer services using both fossil fuels and alternative energies.” Courilleau makes it clear: “By 2026, Idea will be a pioneer in decarbonizing its fleet.” (pd/jas, January 5, 2023)

Source: Idea Group