Low and zero carbon emission freight transport: is it possible?
In the context of reducing the carbon footprint of public and passenger transport, electric cars and even buses are increasingly being used. In the territory of the European Union, the replacement of internal combustion vehicles with these vehicles in the future is not just wishful thinking, but a ready-made plan, the implementation of which has already begun and should be completed by 2035. From that moment on then, in fact, it will no longer be possible to register new cars and vans in any country adhering to the agreement. Used ones can be used, sold and purchased until the end of their useful life.
While customers are increasingly convinced of electric motors in the case of passenger cars, electromobility in the truck segment still raises many questions. In 2022, this type of vehicle will represent only 0,6% of all vehicles used for road transport*. Although more and more manufacturers offer to increase efficiency and autonomy, replacing the fleet of internal combustion vehicles with these vehicles is still a project for the distant future.
However, it must be admitted that the preliminary statistics are impressive. According to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation, hydrogen fuel cells in trucks can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15-33%. Furthermore, if so-called green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, is used to power them, emissions decrease by up to 89%**.
Investors looking for zero- and low-carbon solutions are turning to the rail transport segment, which is proving remarkably successful in this regard. Trains are now considered one of the most efficient ways to transport a large load over a significant distance with minimal CO2 emissions. In some European countries it is already possible to find almost 100% zero-emission railways.
What solutions will reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation industry?
One of the most essential ways to decarbonise the transport industry is undoubtedly to use eco-friendly modes of transport as much as possible. We are mainly talking about rail transport, which offers maximum energy efficiency and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is no doubt that the decarbonisation of road transport is an ongoing process and electric trucks have the potential to dominate this market over time.
However, it is worth noting other solutions that could lead to the reduction of the carbon footprint of freight transport. Among these there are
- route optimization – thanks to modern TMS systems, logistics companies can plan routes in such a way that their travel has the least possible impact on the environment, regardless of the mode of transport chosen;
- load consolidation – assembling several smaller loads headed in the same direction into one large load results in efficient use of transportation space. This can reduce the number of cars, trains or planes in use, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions;
- efficient transportation management – modern technological solutions can be used to plan the transportation route and monitor it from loading to unloading. This will make it possible, among other things, to control fuel consumption and driver habits, which can influence a larger carbon footprint;
- prevent damage to goods in transit – by protecting the transported load from damage or deterioration, the risk of having to transport it again is reduced;
- an efficient fleet of vehicles – by carrying out regular maintenance of the transport vehicles that make up your fleet, you reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns and accidents. If in the case of truck transport it is a way to reduce waste of fuel and time, in the context of shipping this equates to reducing the risk of causing an environmental disaster.
Sustainable logistics is not just about transportation
While transportation is by far the part of the logistics process that has the most significant impact on the environment, it is not the only one. The construction and organization of warehouses and distribution centers also have a significant impact on the industry's carbon footprint.
When it comes to buildings, the use of renewable energy and water sources, among other things, is essential. We are talking, for example, about the use of photovoltaic systems and heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and even the use of gray water and carbon dioxide to cool buildings.
And remember the environmentally friendly materials for packaging goods for transportation and storage. Meanwhile, the management of goods at their destination will be improved by so-called beacons, miniature electrical devices that inform, among other things, about the location of a specific load. In this way it will be possible to optimally plan the unloading and organize the storage space.
Choosing the right partners, who share similar values, will also help reduce the company's carbon footprint. It is a great idea to entrust transportation process planning to a company that has experience in this field and a wide range of options available. Road, rail, sea or air transport organized in collaboration with the transport and logistics company AsstrA will work perfectly in this role.
Introducing solutions to reduce a logistics company's carbon footprint will undoubtedly take time to be successful. To ensure that all processes work perfectly and do not cause losses in the interest of investors, it is advisable to take the help of industry professionals. There is no need to rush in the context of changes aimed at decarbonising freight transport. It is better to do this gradually but effectively, instead of relying on greenwashing, which does not contribute to reducing the problem.
*https://www.acea.auto/fuel-cv/fuel-types-of-new-trucks-electric-0-6-diesel-96-6-market-share-full-year-2022/
**https://theicct.org/publication/fs-life-cycle-analysis-emissions-trucks-buses-europe-feb23/