eFuels in road freight transport: the sustainable solution for logistics
eFuels in road freight transport: the sustainable solution for logistics
A practical solution for sustainable logistics
Heavy goods traffic is on the verge of a turnaround: In the search for climate-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, the question arises as to how sustainability and efficiency can be combined. A solution could already be within reach – without major changes and with immediate feasibility. What makes it so special?
Table of contents
The challenge of defossilization in road freight transport
Road freight transport faces a key challenge: while many areas of the transport sector can be electrified, heavy goods transport is considered difficult or impossible to electrify. This is not only a technical problem, but also a question of efficiency:
- Battery-powered solutions reach their limits in trucks due to their high weight and limited range.
- Hydrogen is seen as a priority option, but it also presents challenges – such as the complex storage and infrastructure requirements.
However, a more realistic and immediately implementable solution is offered in the form of eFuels: synthetic fuels that are produced in a climate-friendly way and can be seamlessly integrated into existing vehicles and infrastructures.
What are eFuels and why are they ideal for heavy goods vehicles?
eFuels are synthetic fuels that are produced from renewable energy, water and CO2. They are similar to fossil fuels in their chemical structure, but offer the decisive advantage that they burn more cleanly and are climate-friendly.
High energy density:
eFuels provide the necessary energy for long-distance transportation thanks to the high energy density of the fuel.
Compatibility:
Trucks with combustion engines can use eFuels without conversion. Existing vehicle fleets can continue to be used.
Infrastructure:
At filling stations and in pipelines that currently transport fossil fuels can also be used for eFuels.
Sustainability:
The production of eFuels uses CO2 from the atmosphere, which is released again during combustion – a closed cycle.
Challenges for hydrogen - are eFuels the alternative?
The use of hydrogen in heavy goods transportation is being discussed as a forward-looking solution. Nevertheless, several challenges stand in the way of the widespread introduction of hydrogen technologies:
Low volumetric energy density
- Although hydrogen contains a lot of energy per kilogram(high gravimetric energy density), it takes up a lot of space per liter(low volumetric energy density). This means that hydrogen in its gaseous form takes up a large volume and vehicles would have to be equipped with very large tanks in order to achieve sufficient range. To avoid this, hydrogen must be highly compressed or liquefied, which involves a very high energy input and requires complex storage systems.
- However, even with these measures, hydrogen does not achieve the energy density of liquid synthetic fuels. This leads to a shorter range and practical restrictions in the use of hydrogen trucks compared to conventional vehicles.
Infrastructure problems
- Hydrogen requires special filling stations, pipelines and storage systems. These are technically demanding and cost-intensive, as hydrogen has to be stored under high pressure or in liquid form at extremely low temperatures.
- The expansion of this infrastructure is lagging behind the targets set. Although the national hydrogen strategy sets ambitious targets, there are no clear deadlines or transparent financial planning.
- This infrastructure not only requires a high level of investment, but is also much more maintenance-intensive and has a shorter service life than the infrastructure for hydrocarbon-based fuels.
Uncertainties for users
- For logistics companies and vehicle manufacturers, investments in hydrogen-based technologies are associated with risks, as there is currently no security of supply and expansion is only progressing slowly.
In addition, the acquisition costs for hydrogen trucks are significantly higher than for conventional diesel vehicles. A hydrogen-powered tractor unit can cost up to three times as much as a diesel tractor unit. These high costs represent a considerable financial burden and increase the investment risk for companies. - Companies that want (and need) to switch to hydrogen are dependent on progress in expanding the infrastructure – progress that is currently much slower than planned.
Achieving the climate targets
- The EU’s ambitious climate targets require a rapid switch to low-emission technologies. Current developments in hydrogen give rise to justified doubts as to whether these targets can be achieved in heavy goods transport in time.
- Currently, only a very small proportion of the available hydrogen comes from completely renewable energy sources without CO2 emissions during the production process (see also International Energy Agency, 2023), and it will probably take decades to achieve a significant proportion of green hydrogen.
Practical applications of eFuels in freight transport
eFuels are particularly suitable where other technologies reach their limits:
Long-distance traffic:
For trucks that travel long distances every day, eFuels offer the necessary range without compromising the payload or causing long downtimes due to recharging.
Heavy-duty operation:
Trucks that have to transport heavy loads benefit from the high energy density of eFuels. Unlike batteries, eFuels do not increase the vehicle weight and therefore allow full payload capacity.
Fleet management:
Logistics companies can easily convert their existing truck fleets to eFuels without having to invest heavily in new vehicles or infrastructure.
Challenges and long-term prospects
Like any new technology, eFuels still have hurdles to overcome:
- Production costs:
The production costs of eFuels are currently still higher than those of fossil fuels. However, with increasing scaling, technological progress and fiscal framework conditions, costs may fall. You can find more information on the cost development of eFuels here. - Availability:
The production of eFuels is currently still limited. Planned large-scale plants in Europe and worldwide are expected to significantly increase capacities in the coming years. - Regulatory framework:
The current legal framework for synthetic fuels is characterized by bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of clarity. This situation is a major obstacle to the rapid expansion of the necessary capacities. You can find out more here.
Why eFuels are the future of heavy goods transport
eFuels offer a unique combination of climate friendliness, practicality and immediate readiness for use:
Sustainability
eFuels drastically reduce new COâ‚‚ emissions in heavy goods traffic.
Suitability for use
They can be used in existing vehicles and with existing infrastructure.
Practicality
No loss of range or payload - eFuels enable unrestricted use.
Future security
As production increases, eFuels will become more affordable and more widely available.
Heavy goods transport needs solutions that are both efficient and sustainable – eFuels meet these requirements and can make a decisive contribution to the defossilization of road freight transport.
Conclusion: eFuels as a realistic solution for heavy goods traffic
While hydrogen could play a role in heavy goods transport in the long term, its introduction is associated with considerable challenges. eFuels, on the other hand, offer an immediately implementable and sustainable solution that allows existing vehicles and infrastructure to continue to be used efficiently.
Given the time pressure to achieve the climate targets, eFuels are the more viable option for decarbonizing road freight transport in the short term and at the same time building a bridge to other technological developments, such as hydrogen, in the long term.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about eFuels in road freight transport
Heavy goods transport places high demands on drive and energy technologies, especially for long-distance journeys or transportation with high payloads. eFuels offer several advantages here:
- High energy density: Like conventional diesel, eFuels provide enough energy for long distances without reducing the payload.
- Fast refueling: Refueling takes as little time as with fossil fuels, which minimizes downtimes.
- Compatibility: eFuels can be used in conventional combustion engines without the need for technical modifications.
- Use of existing infrastructure: filling stations and pipelines for diesel can be used for eFuels without conversion.
Yes, that is one of the biggest advantages of eFuels. Unlike other alternatives such as hydrogen, eFuels do not require any new drive systems or special infrastructure. They can be used directly in existing vehicle fleets, which significantly accelerates their introduction.
Hydrogen is an important component in the production of eFuels, but the two technologies have different advantages and disadvantages:
eFuels:
- Ready for immediate use, as existing vehicles and infrastructure can be used.
- Particularly suitable for long distances and heavy loads where no conversion is required.
Hydrogen:
- Requires special fuel cell drives and own infrastructure (filling stations, storage).
- In the long term, a good option for new technologies, which are currently only available to a limited extent.
Hydrogen is undoubtedly a promising technology and will play a central role in the energy transition and the decarbonization of heavy goods transport in the long term. It is emission-free when used in fuel cells and has a high energy density.
However, there are also challenges associated with the introduction of hydrogen: It will take years or even decades to build a nationwide infrastructure and produce sufficient quantities of green hydrogen.
Hydrogen and eFuels therefore complement each other perfectly: while hydrogen has long-term potential for new technologies, eFuels offer an immediately applicable and practicable solution for reducing emissions in heavy goods traffic today.
Yes, eFuels have the potential to make a significant contribution to the defossilization of heavy goods traffic. By using them in existing vehicles, emissions can be reduced immediately. At the same time, they offer a solution for countries and regions where the expansion of charging or hydrogen infrastructure could still take many years.
References:
- Tagesschau, as of 26.08.2024: https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/technologie/wasserstoff-speicher-energiewende-klimawandel-uniper-rwe-co2-neutral-energie-erdgas-100.html
- Update of the National Hydrogen Strategy – Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), July 2023: https://www.bmbf.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/de/2023/230726-fortschreibung-nws.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=1
- Technological background to hydrogen- Andrew Moore Scientist: https://andrewmoorescientist.com/2-hydrogen/
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