Future Fleets: Are You Keeping Up with The Trends?
With CO2 emissions increasing every year since 2014 (with the exception of 2020), decarbonising heavy-duty transport is going to be key to accelerating the road to net zero.
Fortunately, the green fleet transport revolution continues apace. With a steady increase in year-on-year demand, it’s fair to say heavy-duty transport has superseded the passenger car in terms of cleaner fuel adoption.
What more can we glean from this? Well, the technology industry tops the charts as the sector with Europe’s ‘most sustainable’ fleets. But how do other industries compare?
Dover Fueling Solutions® (DFS) examines the data to help fleet managers establish whether they’re keeping up with the competition and shares what you can do to help future-proof your transportation.
So, how futuristic is your fleet?
The Sustainability Standings
Spanning 22 European countries, the fleet sustainability rankings determined the industries with the lowest overall CO2 emissions. The results were as follows:
- Technology
- Financial Services
- Energy & Chemicals
- Industrial
- Automotive
- Consumer Goods
- Construction
- Healthcare & Pharma
With the lowest overall average CO2 emissions combined with the second highest Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) share, the technology industry blazes a trail for sustainable fleets and sets a shining example to other sectors.
Thankfully, prevailing trends are positive, with the number of alternatively fueled vans, trucks and buses growing steadily. Vans make up the majority of this, with an upswing in trucks and buses too.
The Most Carbon Neutral Countries
It’s also useful to drill down into the data to determine the countries with the most clean-fueled trucks on the road.
Despite being the European leader in terms of EV passenger car adoption, Germany ranks fourth in terms of commercial vehicles powered by all alternative fuels including Hydrogen, LNG and CNG. See below the countries with the most alternatively-fueled light commercial vehicles in Europe:
- Poland – 165,014 units
- Italy – 160,291 units
- France – 90,929 units
- Germany – 67,276 units
- Netherlands – 34,349 units
In terms of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), adoption remains slower with the sector still heavily reliant on diesel fuel. Switzerland leads the way with 77 electric-powered trucks, followed by Norway with 56 and Sweden with 47. In fourth and fifth place were the Netherlands and Germany, with 42 and 37, respectively.
In comparison, over 45,000 hydrogen-powered trucks are expected on European roads by 2030. Its simple dispensation method is similar to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and will soon be able to deliver around 10kg of hydrogen per minute. This may be a better choice for HGV drivers on long-haul drives.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is another viable option and is quickly becoming one of the preferred clean fuels on the European market. A reported 8,608 LNG-powered trucks are already on EU roads with 1,202 registered in 2022 alone.
Alternative Fueling by Organisation
It’s fair to say that clean-fueled fleets have grown significantly in the B2C sector too. This has been underpinned by delivery companies such as Amazon, FedEx and DHL alongside retail brands like IKEA and Best Buy, who are also committing to EV.
For example, as part of its climate pledge, Amazon plans to purchase 100,000 electric vans by 2030, with 50% of shipments said to be in line with net-zero principles. DHL meanwhile intends to operate 70% of its first and last-mile delivery services with clean transport modes by 2025.
Alternative fueling by organizations would appear to span EV, natural gas (LNG and CNG), and hydrogen, proving there’s no one-size-fits-all fix for every business.
FedEx, for instance, has pledged to have an all-electric fleet by 2030, demonstrating that EV is an ideal choice of vehicle for local courier deliveries. German supermarket chain EDEKA, meanwhile, is set to convert its 700-strong vehicle fleet to LNG. In addition to this, an estimated 17% of new trucks will run off hydrogen across the EU by 2030.
What infrastructure is needed for business fleets to make the transition to clean fuels?
Businesses transitioning to clean fuels require a robust infrastructure to support adoption. Lise-Lotte Nordholm, VP & GM Clean Energy and Global Platforms at DFS advises:
First and foremost, a comprehensive charging or refueling network is vital for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
“Establishing charging stations in strategic locations, including workplaces, commercial hubs and along major transportation routes, ensures convenience for all fleet vehicles.
“For electric fleets, investing in a scalable charging infrastructure with various charging levels, including fast-charging stations, is essential. Businesses can collaborate with local governments and energy providers to develop a cohesive network that caters to the diverse needs of their fleets.
“Additionally, smart charging solutions, incorporating renewable energy sources, can optimize energy use and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the charging process.
“In the case of hydrogen-powered vehicles, developing a hydrogen refueling infrastructure is critical. This involves establishing hydrogen refueling stations strategically, particularly in countries and regions with high fleet activity.
“Collaborative efforts with energy companies and government incentives can expedite the deployment of these stations, ensuring a seamless transition for businesses embracing hydrogen fuel cell technology.”
How can your fleet make the transition?
Whether you’re looking to switch to hydrogen, EV, CNG, LNG or another alternative fueling option, there are some important things to bear in mind. Lise-Lotte continued:
“Assess your fleet: Take the time to analyze your fleet. Understand the type of vehicles you have, your average fuel consumption and their general purpose. This may help you identify areas where alternative fuels could be adopted.
“Decide on your alternative fuel: As referenced, there are a number of alternative fuels available, including electricity, hydrogen, LNG, and more. Evaluate which is most appropriate to your specific needs based on factors such as cost, range and fueling infrastructure.
“Financial incentives: Be sure to cash in on any financial incentives. These may include grants or tax credits governments offer to encourage alternative fuel adoption. This can help offset any initial costs.
“Stakeholder engagement: Make sure to engage with your employees, clients and suppliers to communicate the benefits of your alternatively fueled fleet. This can help publicize your sustainability efforts and potentially attract environmentally conscious customers.”
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Future Fleets: Are You Keeping Up with The Trends?
