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BTS 19: Scania expands on alternative fuels tilt

How global maker's fossil-free by 2050 campaign is manifesting in Australia

 

Transport is part of the environmental problem but it can also be part of the solution.

That was the message delivered by Scania’s sustainability solutions manager Anthony King at Brisbane Truck Show’s (BTS) KPMG Insight Centre; however, a fossil-free future needs more buy-in from governments and industry, he adds.

He says Scania views issues of pollution and climate change ones that not only affects global transport but also areas such as healthcare and insurance, and “we are at a tipping point”, with vehicles forming part of the challenge.

King notes Scania has committed to a fossil-free fleet by 2050 and its goal is not just about the bottom line but also “mitigation and elimination of waste”.

“There is a need to offset carbon emissions and shift is urgent.

“We are seeing students going out voicing their opinion. What they’re saying is it’s our future and we want to take ownership of it.”

“If we wait for governments to make a change we’ll be waiting a long time.”

Three key pillars that Scania is implementing – and the wider industry must consider – is: energy efficiency; smart and safe transport, and alternative fuels and electrification.

For example, he notes telemetry for managing vehicle efficiency can lead to a 10-12 per cent fuel efficiency saving, “which also becomes a good business case”.

Scania had its P360 gas model on display at the BTS and King notes Scania has MOUs with gas suppliers in different states who can provide fuel solutions for operators.


Read about Scania Australia’s local alternative fuels partnerships, here


 

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However, “we need more partnerships from industry and government” to increase the uptake of cleaner tech, he says.

King’s analysis of alternative fuel includes the following: 

  • Biodiesel: produced from sources like rapeseed, soy and other oil plants – as well as waste cooking oil. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 83 per cent compared to standard diesel
  • Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO): produced from sources such as waste oil, rapeseed oil and animal fat. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 90 per cent
  • Biogas: produced from a number of sources, but the most cost-efficient and sustainable source is local sewage or waste. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 90 per cent
  • Natural gas: Natural gas is a fossil fuel, but since the methane molecule contains only one carbon atom the emitted amount of CO2 during combustion is similar compared to diesel. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 15 per cent
  • Bioethanol/ED95: can be produced comparatively easy – even on a small scale – from sources like sugar cane, wheat, cellulose and organic waste. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 90 per cent
  • Hybrid: a combination of electrical driveline and traditional engine reduces the fuel consumption which leads to lower emissions and noise levels. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 90 per cent when combined with a HVO
  • Fully electric: a fully electric driveline with either conductive or inductive charging infrastructure can ensure continuous operation without local emissions. Optimal CO2 reduction of up to 98 per cent when using renewable electricity production (31 per cent using fossil electricity production from coal).

 

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