Dear Readers, this is a call for action. If you follow our posts regularly, you know that we take great pride in promoting sustainable transport solutions and advocating for a greener future. Today, we express our disappointment with recent developments in Germany’s approach to bioLNG, an environmentally friendly fuel option that holds immense potential for reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Despite our best efforts to collaborate with stakeholders and utilize BioLNG derived from biodegradable waste, we find ourselves facing challenges due to the lack of government support in reducing tolls for this promising alternative.
The Disheartening Reality: Equal Toll Rates for BioLNG
Unfortunately, as we indicated in this article, the German government plans to introduce a CO2 differentiation in the truck toll from 1 December 2023, and CNG/LNG trucks will be subject to tolls in the usual way from January 2024. (Source)
Therefore our enthusiasm has been met with disappointment as the German authorities have decided to treat both bioLNG and conventional LNG on equal terms in the LKW Maut pricing structure. This means that there are no toll reductions or incentives for using bioLNG, disregarding its potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.
This decision will effectively hinder the widespread adoption of bioLNG, dampening our efforts to contribute to a more sustainable future. It also contradicts the urgent need to encourage cleaner alternatives and address the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
Taking Alternate Measures: Extending CO2 compensation through Ecobal Project
While our initial plan was to use bioLNG and ensure carbon-neutrality on a maximum scale of our operation by sourcing it from biodegradable waste, the lack of incentives raises doubts about its suitability. In response to the current situation, we feel forced to reevaluate our strategy at DON Trucking towards extending our commitment to environmental preservation as it more tangible solution.
Since we can only spend our money once, why not allocate the savings from the different buying prices between LNG and bioLNG to real nature and wildlife preservation and the actual storage of CO2? With no incentives in place, why not prioritize utilizing conventional LNG exclusively for our truck fleet? The money saved from price difference between LNG and bioLNG can be invested in the Ecobal project, dedicated to CO2 storage across nature spots in five different countries in EU. This endeavor enables us to take responsibility for our emissions actively, promote preserving nature and ensures we are on the path to becoming a certified carbon-neutral company.
BioLNG for Sustainable Transport
As a company dedicated to minimizing our carbon footprint, we firmly believe in the power of Bio-LNG (biomethane) to revolutionize the transportation industry in Europe as it is locally produced fuel which is gained from the biogas produced from waste streams such as organic household waste, sludge, manure or agricultural waste.
What are 3 main advantages of bio-LNG?
- 1. Reduces CO2 emissions up to 100%
- 2. It is available now for big scale operations
- 3. Contributes to circular economy as creates value from waste
BioLNG is a renewable and readily available fuel source that offers a sustainable solution to curb greenhouse gas emissions. By embracing bioLNG, we can make significant strides towards combating climate change and creating a greener planet.
EU describe bioLNG as ” It is one of the main renewable gases of the future and available today to decarbonise the EU’s energy system. Biomethane can play an important role to achieve the REPowerEU plan’s objectives of diversified gas supplies and reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, while simultaneously reducing exposure to volatile natural gas prices. As a renewable and dispatchable energy source, scaling up the production and use of biomethane also helps to address the climate crisis. For these reasons, biomethane production needs to reach 35 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year by 2030.
Source: https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/bioenergy/biomethane_en
Moreover, the plans for 2050 are even more ambitious, projecting an annual production of 120 billion cubic meters of biomethane. This means that biomethane will assume a role similar to that currently held by natural gas. Renewable gases will, therefore, replace fossil fuels. Among renewable gases, we have three alternatives – biomethane, biohydrogen, and synthetic methane. Currently, biomethane technologies are the most advanced, enabling its production, sale, and use in heavy-road transport. Biohydrogen and synthetic methane are expected to enter the market a bit later, likely after 2030.
So, why is the German government not actively promoting this solution, which, unlike other “fuels of the future” such as hydrogen or electric, is already capable of contributing to the circular economy on a massive scale today?”
A Call to Action: Promote non-fossil bioLNG for a Greener Future
At DON Trucking, we remain committed to our mission of promoting sustainable transport and actively contributing to environmental preservation. While we adapt our strategy, we urge the German government to recognize the enormous potential of bioLNG and take proactive steps to promote its adoption. By providing incentives, such as reduced tolls for the use of bioLNG, Germany can position itself as a trailblazer in sustainable transport solutions and set an example for other nations.
The time is now for governments and industries to work together to foster a greener future. By promoting the use of bioLNG, we can create a lasting impact on the environment, supporting the transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation practices.