19.10.2020

More liquefied biogas filling stations are the key to sustainable transport

While many logistics companies are still considering the switch to renewable fuels, Bring Åkeri in Vårgårda, Sweden has already reached the finish post. Now they are pleased that Gasum is expanding its filling station network so that more can make the move.

“Our journey began ten years ago, when we started seriously looking for alternative fuels. We saw where the world was heading and knew that we wanted to take the lead in the development. Not many talked about sustainability back in those days, when transport price was what interested customers most,” says Magnus Nilsson at Bring Åkeri i Vårgårda.

Today, the company has switched its entire vehicle fleet to renewable fuels. Six of the trucks now run on renewable liquefied biogas and operate between Gothenburg and Stockholm.

“Expansion of the filling station network is progressing fast. This is good for both the climate and the logistics sector. If we fill up in the morning in Gothenburg, we then load up in Vårgårda after lunch before driving further up towards Norrköping and Stockholm. There are already several gas filling stations along the route and this gives us a good range across the country.

Liquefied biogas plays an important role in the transition to a carbon-neutral society and can result in emissions reduction of up to 90%. This explains the fast pace at which Gasum is expanding its filling station network in the Nordics. A new filling station was opened earlier year this alongside the E4 in Ljungby and another was recently opened in Gothenburg. Helsingborg is next in turn. Gasum owns 13 of the 23 liquefied gas filling stations currently spread across Sweden.

“You could say that we’re living in a new era, where environmental and climate issues play a greater role in society. Our customers want to reach their sustainability goals while consumers are calling for change. Nowadays, everyone understands that we are part of the solution. We must change our ways right away. We have no choice,” says Magnus Nilsson.

A gas-powered truck is a major investment but there are several investment programs such as Drive LBG, Klimatpremie and Klimatklivet that companies can turn to for financial support. During the application periods, Gasum helps with applications to Klimatklivet (in Swedish only). This is something Gasum would like to continue doing, but at the time of writing no-one knows whether the government will continue with investment support in 2021.

“Regardless of whether there is investment support or not, the willingness to pay for sustainable transport is beginning to be seen on the roads. Besides this, Gasum’s plans to expand its filling station network. In five years, no-one will want anything but sustainable transport. Nor will there be anything else on the market,” says Magnus Nilsson.

The future is looking bright for Magnus and his colleagues at Bring Åkeri in Vårgårda. Now they hope that more logistics companies dare to make the change.

“For us in Vårgårda, switching to renewable fuels enables us to cut our carbon dioxide emissions by 4,100 tonnes a year. If we can reduce our carbon footprint by this much, just think what it would do the climate if the whole logistics sector switched to renewables.