Natural gas is a real, profitable and sustainable alternative to diesel. That is the obvious conclusion reached by Scania and market suppliers after artichokes and melons from Castellón travelled by refrigerated road transport to Stockholm onboard a Scania G 410 CV powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Not only viability of transportation by also 18 tons of viable vegetables!
The 3,000 kilometers that separate Castellón from Stockholm is one of the longest routes made in Europe by a Scania with a 410 hp gas engine, which demonstrates the viability of LNG as a fuel for international transport. With a year and a half in the market, the Scania engine of 410 hp gas offers a similar performance to diesel. It is the most powerful gas engine of the brand with a maximum torque of 2,000 Nm and a range of more than 1,000 km.
The logistics operator Delta Stock is a specialist in refrigerated transport between Spain and Scandinavia. “For years we have been innovating to improve the efficiency of transport and care of the environment, so we decided to arrive in Stockholm with a gas tractor. I have to thank Talleres Rapalo [Scania’s agent in Castellón] for the opportunity to try this technology on such a long trip”, says Luis Alonso, manager of Delta Stock.
Profitability
During this route, the Scania G 410 made two sections of almost 1,000 kilometers between one refueling and another. The route taken by this gas vehicle, and its refueling, was as follows:
- Starting point — Castellón
- First refueling — La Jonquera (Catalonia)
- Second refueling — Nancy (France)
- Third refueling — Helsingborg (Sweden) after traveling more than 800 kilometers between Nancy and Travemunde, where he boarded a ferry to Malmö and, from there, more than 60 kilometers by road to Helsingborg.
- End point — delivery of goods in Stockholm
Lower fuel consumption and lower fuel price (by comparison to diesel) translates into greater profitability of transport operations. “The price of the kilo of gas is between 30% and 40% less than diesel and also the consumption per kilo is lower for an engine of the same power. Depending on the route and the type of transport, gas is a competitive advantage, without forgetting that we also take care of the planet,” says Luis Alonso.
Sustainability
Currently, the gas engine is the only real alternative when it comes to reducing emissions. This engine allows the reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15% with natural gas and up to 90% in the case of biogas (renewable natural gas). In addition, it is suitable for sensitive urban environments, as it has an ECO label and reduced sound emissions.
“After this test, we consider using gas on several routes, although this type of fuel requires a study of the routes one by one, since the refueling must be done in specialized service stations and, in some of them, be authorized to refuel”, confirms Luis Alonso.
