Gas filling station serving heavy-duty vehicles opens in Kalmar, Sweden

The new gas filling station provides HDVs with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied biogas (LBG). Heavy-duty transport currently accounts for up to 30% of Europe’s CO₂ emissions from road transport. According to the new emission standards passed by the EU in 2019, greenhouse gas emissions from HDVs are to be reduced by 30% by 2030. The national target in Sweden is to reduce road transport emissions by 70% by 2030, as compared to 2010 levels.
 

“Building the gas filling station network for HDVs is an essential part of Gasum’s strategy. In the Nordics, most cargo transport takes place by road. Because of the long distances, we must keep focusing on creating further opportunities for logistics and transport companies to switch from fossil diesel to LNG and LBG. We’re currently planning to build a network of 50 gas filling stations by the beginning of 2020s,” says Mikael Antonsson, Director of Traffic at Gasum in Sweden.
 

Kalmar opens new possibilities for local transport companies

Kalmar is in the south part of Sweden where biogas production is widely established. In Kristianstad, also in the south, Gasum is currently building a biogas plant at Stora Enso’s Nymölla pulp and paper mill. The plant, operated by Gasum, will turn the mill’s wastewater into renewable liquefied biogas (LBG). The plant is expected to start operating during the second half of 2020, and LBG made from the paper mill’s wastewater will be available at Gasum’s filling stations. Providing both LBG and LNG, the Kalmar station serves as an important stop for the long-haul transport segment as well as local transport companies. Widens Åkeri, a local transport company based in Kalmar, was able to order two gas trucks because of the new stations.
 

“For us, the new gas filling station in Kalmar was a prerequisite for ordering gas-fueled vehicles. Making our business more sustainable is one of our most important goals and alternative fuels are needed to replace fossil diesel. We’re really looking forward to using biogas,” explains Pierre Widén, CEO at Widens Åkeri. 

As EU and national emission targets are being pursued, LBG and LNG are becoming highly attractive fuel choices. With the use of LBG, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 85% compared to fossil diesel. With LNG, CO₂ emissions are more than 20% lower than those of fossil diesel. LNG and LBG can be used in the same infrastructure, making the shift from LNG to LBG easy and cost efficient.