8-2025 Newsletter Task 37
Topics:
- Gas buses: a record year for Italy in 2024
- Boom in sustainable Bio-LNG in Europe but politicians are putting the brakes on traffic
- Report finds RNG the best Option to Replace the oldest Diesel trucks
- LNG-powered bus travels long distances in Sweden
- Creating a UK Bio-CNG clean fuel infrastructure platform
- French market: Sales of Iveco’s CNG trucks and vans in 2024
- Scania showcases its long-range CNG tractor
- CNG trucks: Volvo Trucks sales jumped 24% in 2024
- Edeka Minden-Hannover plans to convert its entire truck fleet to bio-LNG by 2026
- RNG+electric: ECTN alliance validates its relay station concept to decarbonize transport
- Development of the World’s First Electrified Biogas-to-SAF Plant
- LBM and B100 undercut fossil for Rotterdam-EU routes
- Report on extension of the carbon market to maritime transport
- Maritime: LNG leads orders for alternative-fuel ships in 2024
- Enagás plants in Barcelona and Huelva, ready to supply Bio-LNG to ships and tankers
- European Maritime Transport Environmental Report 2025
- Baleària and Axpo successfully carry out the first Bio-LNG operations
- Avenir Ascension to run fully on bio-LNG through 2025
- Valio transports its products across the Gulf of Finland using liquefied biogas
Gas buses: a record year for Italy in 2024
In Italy, sales of gas buses jumped 76% in 2024, accounting for 25% of registrations, all energies combined. According to data published by ANFAI, the market jumped by 20% compared with 2023. A total of 4,920 vehicles were registered, a figure not seen since 2001. In detail, city buses drove the Italian market’s good results, with registrations up 74% on 2023. In other markets, intercity buses were down 17%, while touring coaches were up 24%.
More (in French)
Boom in sustainable Bio-LNG in Europe but politicians are putting the brakes on traffic
The use of bio-LNG in heavy transport reached a new high in 2024. Three out of four litres of liquefied natural gas (LNG) now come from renewable sources – a massive jump from 17 percent last year to 75 percent now. However, the sector is facing political hurdles: According to the gas and hydrogen industry, a lack of incentives, unfair regulations on tolls and unilateral EU regulation are holding back the decarbonization of road freight transport. Bio-LNG is currently the only technologically mature, climate-friendly and competitive alternative propulsion technology for road freight transport. However, instead of promoting the low-emission alternative, the current EU regulation on CO2 limits for fleets relies exclusively on battery- or hydrogen-powered electric drives. Trucks powered by Bio-LNG are still financially disadvantaged, as they have to pay the same toll as diesel trucks, despite their significant CO2 reductions.
Report finds RNG the best Option to Replace the oldest Diesel trucks
The sustainability NGO Energy Vision released a report assessing ways to replace heavy-duty diesel trucks built before 2013. The report, “A Path to a Healthier America: Ditching Old Diesel Trucks,” focuses on replacing 130,000 heavy-duty diesel vehicles built before 2013 in 31 highly populated U.S. counties, including the 10 largest metro areas. These trucks have the worst air emissions of all vehicles on U.S. roads, yet 2.4 million of them still operate nationwide. Of the non-fossil fuel alternatives the report evaluated — battery electric vehicles, new diesel models running on renewable diesel (RD) made from vegetable oils and animal fats, and compressed natural gas trucks running on renewable natural gas (RNG) made from organic wastes — RNG was the overall winner.
LNG-powered bus travels long distances in Sweden
Transport operator Vy Buss operates about 600 buses on renewable energies like Battery vehicles, HVO 100 and biogas. Only around 100 of the vehicles in commercial operations are express and airport coaches, hence Vy Buss had to find a renewable and sustainable low-emission solutions for these transports. With the first bus successfully operating for a year it became clear that the Scania Irizar Bio-LNG coach meets the demanding needs for premium comfort, reliability, drivability, and sustainability. And while it’s not a guarantee for everyone everywhere, Scania Bio-LNG coaches typically offer reduced operating costs compared to traditional diesel options.
Creating a UK Bio-CNG clean fuel infrastructure platform
ReFuels N.V., a supplier of renewable biomethane (Bio-CNG) for the decarbonization of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), has agreed with funds managed by the Foresight Group to create, through ReFuels’ existing subsidiary CNG Fuels Ltd, a fully integrated clean fuel company. CNG Fuels will encompass the biomethane sourcing and Renewable Transport Fuel Certificate generation, with direct station ownership, large site pipeline and market leading station operating capabilities. The combined entity now has a clear path to doubling the refueling capacity to 20,000 HGVs per day by end-2028.
French market: Sales of Iveco’s CNG trucks and vans in 2024
With almost 1,700 registrations, IVECO confirms its leading position in the French market for trucks and vans running on natural gas (NGV) in 2024. Light commercial vehicles accounted for the majority of the company’s registrations. Of the more than 15,000 Daily models sold in 2024, 884 were equipped with natural gas engines (5.8%). In the intermediate range (7.5 to 15.9 tons), Iveco delivered 944 vehicles. In this segment, CNG accounted for almost 30% of registrations. in the class of 16-tons and more, Iveco sold 1,486 rigids and 983 tractors in 2024. Of these, 304 rigids and 207 tractors were CNG-powered, accounting for just over 20%.
More (in French)
Scania showcases its long-range CNG tractor
At BAUMA, the world’s leading construction and public works exhibition, Scania presented a CNG tractor with extended range. To further demonstrate the capabilities of bioNGV for long-distance missions – 1800 km of range on a plain – Scania presented its new truck. The CBG Tipper Tractor R 460 A6x4HB, a 6×4 tractor equipped with an OC13 104 Otto-cycle engine specially designed for materials handling. Developing 460 hp and maximum torque of 2,300 Nm between 1,000 and 1,300 rpm, it complies with Euro 6 standards. Total CNG tank capacity reached 1,220 liters (8×95 L on the chassis and 2×235 L behind the cab).
CNG trucks: Volvo Trucks sales jumped 24% in 2024
While Volvo Trucks is stepping up its announcements about its battery-powered electric range, it is not neglecting natural gas. In a recent press release, the Swedish group announced a 25% increase in its global sales of CNG trucks in 2024. In total, more than 8,000 units were delivered last year. Without going into detail about the figures, the manufacturer cites Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom as the “most promising markets.” The Swedish manufacturer’s gas offering is now mainly focused on liquefied natural gas trucks, with a range comprising the Volvo FM, FH, and the new FH Aero. Available in power ratings ranging from 420 to 500 horsepower, these trucks offer a range of up to 1,000 km on a full tank.
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Edeka Minden-Hannover plans to convert its entire truck fleet to bio-LNG by 2026
EDEKA Minden-Hannover has opened its first REEFUEL Bio-LNG filling station in Brandenburg in Mittenwalde and plans to convert its entire truck fleet to this low-emission fuel by the beginning of 2026. Around 500 LNG trucks are already running on bio-LNG, with the aim of running around 650 vehicles exclusively on it in future and saving up to 45,000 tons of CO₂ per year. The bio-LNG is supplied under a long-term contract with Alternoil and comes from green hydrogen and biomethane from certified waste processes, enabling a 100% reduction in CO₂ and significantly improving air quality.
More (in German)
RNG+electric: ECTN alliance validates its relay station concept to decarbonize transport
Combining bioNG and electric trucks, the Alliance European Clean Transport Network (ECTN) project has confirmed the viability of its relay station concept on an initial 900-kilometer pilot section linking Lille and Avignon, divided into four segments with five relay stations. The principle, inspired by post office relay stations, is based on a specific organization. At each relay station, the driver unhooks his trailer, which is then taken over by another truck for the rest of the journey. This system optimizes the use of low-carbon vehicles while limiting the constraints linked to their autonomy. After 16 months of experimentation in real-life conditions, the results are very positive. According to information published by the alliance, greenhouse gas emissions on the motorway section have been divided by four. Transport time between Avignon and Lille has also been cut, from 23 to 17 hours, a reduction of 25%.
More (in French)
Development of the World’s First Electrified Biogas-to-SAF Plant
Syzygy Plasmonics, located in Houston TX, the global leader in electrified biogas-to-SAF technology, today announced the initiation of Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) with Kent for NovaSAF 1, the world’s first electrified biogas-to-SAF facility. The site will serve as a model for scalable, low-cost sustainable aviation fuel production with biogas produced from animal manure. The process utilizes both methane and CO2, naturally found in biogas. Located in Durazno, Uruguay, NovaSAF 1 will produce over 350,000 gallons of ASTM Certified SAF annually, marking a breakthrough in cost-effective, scalable clean fuel. The project is backed by long-term feedstock and site agreements with Estancias del Lago (EDL), one of Uruguay’s largest dairy and agri-energy operations. Powered by Syzygy’s proprietary NovaSAF™ platform, the facility combines the benefits of biogas and Power-to-Liquids (PtL) technologies.
LBM and B100 undercut fossil for Rotterdam-EU routes
In the Netherlands, Engine Online reported on January 21, 2025, liquefied biomethane (LBM) and biofuel B100 were priced lower than fossil fuel alternatives for Rotterdam-EU routes under FuelEU Maritime regulations. LBM benefits from pooling mechanisms and compliance adjustments that significantly lower its effective cost. For diesel slow-speed engines with a 0.2% methane slip, LBM earns an estimated $681/mt in credits, reducing its effective price to $462/mt. For medium-speed Otto engines with a 3.1% methane slip, LBM qualifies for a $546/mt in credits, lowering its effective price to $597/mt. By comparison, for the same engine fossil LNG increases to $901/mt after compliance costs and penalties for those routes.
Report on extension of the carbon market to maritime transport
On 18/03, the Commission published a report on the impacts of the extension of the ETS to the maritime sector. The report estimates that shipping companies will surrender around 34 million ETS allowances for 2024, at a cost of around €2.2 billion. The extension of the EU ETS to maritime transport took effect in January 2024. It applies, from 2024, to vessels over 5 000 gross tonnage (GT) transporting cargo and passenger for commercial purposes, and from 2027, also to offshore ships over 5 000 GT. The inclusion of maritime transport into the EU ETS follows a transitional phase, where, during the first two years, emission allowances are to be surrendered for a portion of the verified emissions (40% of verified emissions to be covered in 2024, 70% in 2025, and 100% as from 2026). From 2026 onwards, the EU ETS for maritime transport will also cover greenhouse gases beyond CO2, namely methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Maritime: LNG leads orders for alternative-fuel ships in 2024
According to data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights (AFI) platform, 515 vessels running on alternative fuels were ordered in 2024, up 38% on 2023. The container ship and car carrier segments played a key role in this development. 69% of orders in these two segments were for vessels capable of running on alternative fuels, accounting for 62% of all alternative-fuel vessels ordered in 2024. In 2024, 264 LNG powered vessels were ordered worldwide, an increase of 103% on 2023. In the container ship segment, LNG accounted for 67% of orders. The DNV report shows that methanol also recorded significant growth, with 166 orders, 85 of them in the container ship segment. ammonia also progressed. 27 orders were booked in 2024, compared with just 8 in 2023.
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Enagás plants in Barcelona and Huelva, ready to supply Bio-LNG to ships and tankers
Enagás will launch from March a pioneering Bio-LNG supply service at the company’s regasification plants in Barcelona and Huelva, which will allow this decarbonized fuel to be loaded into tankers and ships, with which the company continues to advance in its purpose of contributing to the European decarbonization objectives. Bunkering has seen exponential growth in recent years in Spain, multiplying its activity by nine from 2022 to 3.8 TWh supplied in 2024. Of this total, 3.1 TWh were loaded onto small vessels (Ship to Ship, STS) and the remaining 0.7 TWh by tankers (Truck to Ship TTS), which represents an increase of 2.4 times compared to the quantities loaded in 2023.
European Maritime Transport Environmental Report 2025
The second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental impact of Europe’s maritime sector within the EU, as well as an assessment of how to make it more sustainable. According to the report, the sector is making progress towards greater sustainability, but will need to do more in the coming years to play its part in the EU meeting its climate and environment goals. The report also reveals that the use of alternative fuels and sources of power has increased, although from a low base. However, as it currently stands, some prospective alternative fuels will need to significantly increase production to be able to meet potential demand.
Baleària and Axpo successfully carry out the first Bio-LNG operations
Baleària and Axpo Iberia have marked a new milestone in the decarbonization of maritime transport by making the first Bio-LNG deliveries a reality from the two Enagás terminals in Huelva and Barcelona, Spain. From the Huelva terminal, supplies were facilitated to the port of Málaga, where Baleària operates the route to Melilla with the innovative Rusadir ferry. From the Barcelona terminal, Bio-LNG was supplied to the fast ferry Margarita Salas, which connects Barcelona with Mallorca and Menorca. These operations have successfully loaded Bio-LNG directly onto ships, thanks to the adaptation of terminals to process the renewable fuel, which is obtained from biomethane injected into the gas grid and processed into liquid form.
Avenir Ascension to run fully on bio-LNG through 2025
In the UK, Avenir LNG’s bunker vessel Avenir Ascension will operate on 100% bio-LNG for propulsion throughout the remainder of the year, reducing the company’s annual CO₂ emissions by more than 3,500 metric tons. This marks the first continuous use of bio-LNG by a bunker vessel worldwide. The decision was made voluntarily by Avenir LNG, which has been operating LNG and bio-LNG bunker supply vessels across Northwest Europe since 2022.
Valio transports its products across the Gulf of Finland using liquefied biogas
The green shipping corridor between Turku and Stockholm took another important step forward when Valio’s dairy products started to be transported across the Gulf of Finland on Viking Glory and Viking Grace, which run on liquefied biogas (LBG) made from waste, in early May. The green shipping corridor will help Valio to achieve a fully carbon-neutral milk chain by 2035.