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Sustainable driving is not a new topic in the transport industry. With the aim of reducing CO2 emissions, many alternatives to the standard diesel engine have been developed. The electric truck is advancing quickly, but in recent years, another solution has emerged: driving on LNG. In this article, we explain what LNG is and the advantages of switching to an LNG truck.
LNG stands for Liquefied Natural Gas. Currently, it is the cleanest fossil fuel available. To explain how LNG works, let’s first look at its composition. LNG is essentially liquid natural gas. Natural gas is extracted from underground reservoirs worldwide, consisting mainly of methane, along with small amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and a few non-combustible substances. The gas is cooled and liquefied, with impurities removed, at a temperature of -161°C. This process produces liquefied natural gas (LNG), which still relies on fossil fuels. Since the goal is to transition away from fossil fuels, an alternative exists: bio-LNG.
As an alternative to liquefied natural gas, there is bio-LNG. Bio-LNG is liquefied biogas made from organic waste materials like plant remains, sludge, household waste, or manure. This option is already widely available and offers an excellent cost-per-kilometer ratio. More and more companies are choosing bio-LNG. Since bio-LNG is made from renewable resources, it’s sometimes mixed with traditional LNG.
Today, it's becoming increasingly possible to buy an LNG truck. While trucks are typically powered by diesel engines, there is now a cleaner, more sustainable option: LNG trucks. Several myths surround trucks running on LNG, so here are the facts:
LPG vs. LNG: Don’t confuse LNG with LPG. LPG is a different type of fuel, a byproduct of oil refining. You cannot use LPG in an engine designed for LNG.
You can go the distance with LNG: It’s often believed that LNG trucks don’t have a long range, but that’s not true. Nowadays, LNG trucks are just as powerful as diesel trucks.
Quieter than diesel engines: An LNG engine is up to 50% quieter than a diesel engine. This creates a quieter working environment for the driver and allows you to drive through areas with noise restrictions.
LNG refueling stations are growing: The number of LNG refueling stations is rapidly increasing. It’s becoming easier to refuel your LNG truck, and it takes less time than expected. On average, it takes just 7-8 minutes to fully refuel.
Several top brands are developing and selling LNG trucks. Volvo offers (bio-)LNG versions of their popular models like the FH Aero, FH, and FM. Iveco has the S-Way model, which runs on natural gas, and Scania also has models powered by (bio-)LNG.
As mentioned earlier, refueling LNG was not easy a few years ago. Today, the situation has improved, even at the European level. By 2025, there are expected to be over 750 stations across Europe, and by 2030, up to 2,000. The most recent count in 2023 showed 700 stations. This growth is supported by the EU and various national governments, who see (bio-)LNG as an effective tool for reducing CO2 emissions in the logistics and transport sectors.
Are you curious about driving on LNG after reading this article? At BAS World, you can choose a vehicle that runs on LNG. We’re happy to help you explore the possibilities. Contact us and our experts will be glad to assist you.