NGVA Europe and the Small Scale Gas Natural Business Association (Aesgan) shared statements addressing the environmental benefits of LNG-powered trucks, in response to a recent report published by Transport & Environment (T&E), entitled ‘Do gas trucks reduce emissions?,’ which ensures that trucks that run on LNG are more polluting than those that use diesel.
NGVA and Aesgan claim that T&E missed to include an intermediate 2018 report from TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) in their analysis. The missing report which covers exactly the same vehicles, shows a reduction of NOx emissions by more than a factor 6 compared to diesel. A parallel experimental campaign running extensive road measurements over a period of 2 years demonstrated that natural gas trucks emit between 40% and 60% less NOx compared to their equivalent diesel models.
The European and Spanish associations also remark the fact that the T&E analysis “confuses PM (particle mass) with PN (particles number). PM reduction of 95% compared to diesel is certified from public homologation data. PN emissions from spark ignited engines without filtering device, as correctly reported by TNO, result in line, and even lower, compared to diesel with DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), according to NGVA.
On the other hand, the conclusions of the T&E study do not reflect the measurements reported in the used TNO studies. TNO 2019 report (R10193) is showing an 8% tailpipe CO2 equivalent emissions reduction for spark ignited engines, raising to 20% for HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) technology.
When looking to the typical mission profile of an LNG truck (“Motorway” mode), the measured reductions are even higher: 10% for spark ignited engines and 22% for HPDI technology.
The associations that defend the use of natural gas in transport share the objective of moving towards a zero emission future. “Targeting net-zero emissions in the long run is a must. But this needs to happen combining a portfolio of clean solutions that, today, can match two main conditions: complying with customer and market needs, and being affordable and accessible,” says NGVA. “Without one of these two elements, we will not be able to make a positive impact on our environment and improve air quality in our cities. Natural gas is ready to take this challenge already today.”
Source: NGVA Europe
