More sustainable long-distance transport

Two years ago, the Hegelmann Group bought five LNG HGVs for more sustainable long-distance transport. They were impressive. The gas fleet is now being greatly expanded.

It all started two years ago with five LNG-powered trucks, and now the Hegelmann Group is ordering a large fleet with LNG and CNG propulsion. Source: Hegelmann Group 

“As one of the largest freight forwarders in Europe, we feel responsible for the environment and are also committed to sustainability,” said Siegfried Hegelmann, partner of the Hegelmann Group two years ago. This motivation was also the key factor behind the purchase of the first five LNG trucks in the fleet in 2020. “For us, it’s like a mission – we want to present new trucks to our customers and show them that they’re just as efficient as diesel ones. At the same time, it’s a new way of creating sustainability in the long term.”

Rising LNG and CNG prices are currently causing headaches for some hauliers who have to calculate their mileage costs down to a few decimal places: this is sometimes preventing them from switching from diesel trucks to those with alternative engine types. Nevertheless, the Hegelmann Group is sticking to its sustainability plans and has ordered 150 Iveco S-Ways with LNG engines and another 10 with CNG engines. The German freight forwarder currently has 20 LNG trucks in operation, which has already led to significant reductions in CO₂ emissions. And the ability to refuel vehicles with biogas and liquefied biogas – i.e. bio-LNG/LBG – instead of fossil CNG and LNG makes it easy to reduce CO₂ emissions even further.

Decided for more sustainability: Hegelmann Group has ordered another 160 LNG and CNG trucks from Iveco. Source: Iveco

“The Hegelmann Group has recognised that gas-powered semi-trailer tractors are a viable and reliable solution for sustainable transport,” explains Domenico Nastasi, Head of the Heavy and Medium-Duty Commercial Vehicles business unit at Iveco Magirus AG. “We’re proud to be able to support the company in decarbonising road freight transport. This is a commitment that we share at Iveco, because if the S-Way with LNG and CNG engines are powered by biogas, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 95%.”

The new Iveco models are a standard 4×2 t semi-trailer tractor with a high-roof Active-s Space cab and a 460 hp Cursor 13 CNG engine with emission level Euro VI Step E. Each of the LNG versions has a 540-litre LNG tank installed on the left and right. In total, it can accommodate at least 390 kilograms of liquid bio-LNG, enabling the Hegelmann Group trucks to cover distances of up to 1,600 kilometres.

Thanks to biogas or even liquefied biogas (bio-LNG) in the tanks, the Hegelmann Group fleet is almost CO₂-neutral on the road. Source: Iveco

The CNG semi-trailer tractors have four gas tanks on the left and right , each with a total gravimetric filling volume of 160 kilograms. This enables a range of up to 670 kilometres. In addition to low fuel consumption, the Iveco vehicles also feature engines which are up to 50% quieter than diesel engines. The S-Way with LNG and CNG engines are therefore perfectly suited for use in traffic-calmed areas and for night deliveries.

At the request of the Hegelmann Group, the Iveco vehicles are equipped with various individual features to make the drivers’ day-to-day work easier, including a tyre pressure monitoring system, an axle load indicator and LED headlights. “In the current situation of rising LNG prices, the decision was not an easy one. But we’ve made a conscious decision to offer transport which is sustainable over the long term,” explains Andreas Schmidt, CSO Hegelmann Group/CEO Hegelmann Germany, while he accepts delivery of the first of a total of 160 Iveco trucks with LNG and CNG engines featuring the new stickers and visual appearance. (jas, 11 August 2022)

In total, the German haulage company sends 160 Iveco S-Way on the road with the more climate-friendly CNG or LNG drive. Source: Iveco