Between ecology and efficiency - in search of best solutions

Care for the environment is part of Raben Group strategy, hence the many innovations that the company introduces in transport. Already in 2016, first tests of gas vehicles were carried out - both on short routes and in long-distance transport. Not all of the results were satisfactory at the time, but vehicle manufacturers have taken a big step forward since then. As a result, in Germany, Raben fleet has been equipped with four LNG truck tractors, and more than five CNG-powered trucks have been operating in Poland for a year now. These are medium-duty vehicles (about 10 pallets), delivering domestic shipments within the radius of 150 km from the depot. Their advantages include benefits for the environment: slightly lower emissions, and above all, almost no particulate matter and a reduction in noise by about 10 dB compared to diesel engines, which is important for deliveries in built-up areas.

Natural gas - whether in the compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) form - is almost odourless and does not require the use of AdBlue. The tests carried out by IVECO on a fleet of dozens of vehicles which lasted several months have shown that thanks to LNG fuel, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have been reduced by 15%, particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 38%, and soot emission is practically nil. What's more, the latest tractor model reduces the amount of particulate matter by 99% and NOx by 60% compared to the Euro 6 standard[1].

This is where the good news ends. Downsides include the limitations associated with vehicle construction - although nowadays vehicles with sufficient power are already produced for the majority of transports and with larger fuel tanks, and consequently with the range of even 1600 km, in practice their parameters are lower and in this respect they cannot compete with diesel engines (e.g. engine power). In addition, there is a poorly developed network of CNG/LNG filling stations, which significantly hampers efficient use of trucks, and the lack of support from governments (not only in Poland) - in the form of tax incentives, relieves or appropriate legislation - does not encourage companies to invest in this technology.

Finally, there is a financial argument that is decisive for many enterprises. The operating costs of vehicles with CNG/LNG installation seem to be lower - due to the simpler construction of the engine and exhaust, their service is cheaper, as is fuel. However, the purchase price of such a vehicle is much higher than one with the diesel engine, and this difference varies from 25-30% for a model with an average payload, up to 50% for tractor units. In the latter case, depreciation is already taken into account, as it must be considered that in Europe there is practically no secondary market for LNG and CNG vehicles. Therefore, the depreciation costs are much higher than those incurred with diesel trucks - apart from the amounts to be invested in the fleet at the start.

Further development of the described technologies and the accompanying infrastructure, while implementing incentive mechanisms for entrepreneurs, may result in environment-friendly decisions of logistic operators. It is possible that this positive “arms race” will include hydrogen drive, induction, and finally clean electricity, which due to dynamic changes and progress in the automotive industry can become a reasonable alternative to traditional engines. However, we are talking about a 5- or 10-year perspective - whereas actions have to be taken today. Therefore, Raben Group, keeping cost and operational efficiency in mind, and at the same time caring for the environment - is trying out other solutions, fit for the current situation. They allow for reduction of the emissions of particulates and CO₂ to the atmosphere per pallet of transported goods through a more optimal use of cargo space, and consequently a reduction in the number of transports and trucks on the road.

The first thing that can be named is double deck trailers. Raben Group has been investing in them for several years now and will have almost 700 units by the end of this year. They allow for increasing the payload of a standard semi-trailer from 30 pallets to 60 (they are stacked), however, this solution requires proper cooperation and commitment on the part of customers to properly prepare pallets for shipping. Unfortunately, this is not a common procedure, but there have been cases of increasing the payload to about 140%, which means 20% lower emissions per one pallet of goods. On average, in 2018 payload was increased to the level of 122% on routes between Raben Group terminals.

Raben also uses about 700 swap body BDF containers, gradually replacing traditional, large trailers. Swap bodies function as the so-called road train, i.e. a tractor with two smaller trailers on which these containers are located. This increases the flexibility of transport and allows for transporting more pallets at once: the trailer is 33 pallet spaces, and one BDF container is a total of 36 such places - also a double deck - so the set can have up to 72 pallets in one transport. This solution not only provides a lower emission factor per pallet because there is one vehicle instead of four on the road, but it also helps to reduce empty runs. For example: one container is detached and left for unloading at point A and the other one goes further to point B with cargo. Thanks to this, you can avoid half empty, standard semi-trailers, and save time for unloading and loading.

In countries where law allows it (e.g. in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands), Raben Group also uses a road train in the “Jumbo” version. As the name suggests, it is something even bigger than the already mentioned road train, consisting of swap body containers - namely a large tractor that pulls two traditional double deck semi-trailers behind it. The payload of such a vehicle increases up to 102 EUR-pallets. It is a truly cost-saving solution for regular routes - for example, in the Czech Republic, it allows for reducing CO₂ emissions by 200 tons per year.

Another significant improvement is CityLiner type trailers (100 items) that allow for loading 27 pallets. Due to only two axes and a resulting turn capacity, they can freely enter urban areas, with restricted traffic, available so far only for vehicles with a maximum average payload of up to 15 pallets. Here, it is also possible to reduce emissions per pallet of goods, as well as the number of trucks moving in urban agglomerations.

Raben Group is looking forward to the future with confidence and hopes that environmental benefits will soon be in line with the practical possibilities of applying the described innovations. Then we will not have to talk about testing climate-friendly machines, because they will become a standard and will be used on a daily basis, taking into account their full pro-ecological and business potential. The key is the engagement of market, government and non-governmental entities in order to jointly find solutions that take into account economic, environmental and social aspects. After all, one swallow doesn’t make a summer. A wide-ranging partnership is needed for our common good.

[1] https://40ton.net/gazowe-iveco-stralis-np-460-oraz-budowlane-stralisy-x-way-relacja-pierwszych-jazd-testowych/