Originally published on NGVA Europe.
In general, the report “LNG trucks: a dead-end bridge” from the magazine T&E does not meet the necessary scientific standards to be recognized by us as a scientific document. Numerous scientific studies, published in the last 20 years, have repeatedly successfully proven that methane-powered propulsion systems have a general advantage over diesel engines in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The claim that methane-powered vehicles produce more GHG emissions than diesel vehicles does not correspond to the state of the art. Methane-powered vehicles are generally better in terms of GHG emissions than a comparable vehicle powered with diesel fuel. In this context, reference should be made to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Based on such numerous, neutral, and scientific studies, the fuel ‘biomethane’ received the highest political support from the U.S. Congress already in 2007 within the framework of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). There is a great interest in the U.S. in reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere, using agricultural waste and manure, and therefore the use of sustainable methane is encouraged by the government. European companies are active in the U.S. market with their special competencies.
In the case of the use of sustainably produced methane, for example produced out of straw or manure, even negative GHG values can be achieved on the WtT-side (well to tank) up to -533gCO2e/MJ depending on the feedstock used.
We know, that for a rapid decarbonization of the mobility sector and reaching the targets of the European Green Deal, the use of all available and clearly meaningful technologies must be enabled.
This is also because many companies are globally active and therefore have to offer the right propulsion solution for the specific local conditions and policies. Therefore, NGVA Europe and its members, as well as countless experts from reputable associations, universities, and companies around the globe are committed to LNG. LNG, especially in its renewable form, bio-LNG, is the necessary long-term zero-GHG solution for heavy loads, long distances, and a substantial part of the maritime sector.
You can read the full analysis here.
