LNG May Be Fuel for Long-Haul Trucking

INDIA REPORT

With the increasing penetration of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) network across India, many cities may transition from conventional diesel-powered vehicles to CNG for the last mile.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could be a favorable option for heavy and long hauls due to its higher energy density and hence a lower payload penalty and potential range, a lower carbon footprint/noise levels and its cryogenic temperatures which makes it a theft-proof fuel option.

At the same time, the use of HPDI (High-Pressure Direct Injection), a system that enables heavy–duty trucks to operate on natural gas with diesel- like performance would also aid in the switch to LNG.

Companies Consider LNG. Many companies are developing LNG-powered options, and several partnerships have been created to develop LNG-powered units.

• Volvo Trucks India showcased its LNG-powered FM 420 4×2 tractor at Auto Expo 2023. The company plans to use this truck to meet the growing demand for long-haul applications such as e-commerce, where timely and speedy delivery are expected.

• FPT Industrial has acquired a minority stake in Blue Energy Motors, which will further strengthen the future of LNG trucks in the country, as well as the development of the next-generation heavy-duty electric (BEV) truck platform for the Indian market.
• GreenLine Logistics, an LNG-fueled heavy trucking logistics company, has entered into an LNG supply agreement with Baidyanath LNG Private Limited.

Source: ET Auto.com  Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Transportation options are plentiful, but they are limited when it comes to heavy-duty long-haul transportation. Electrification in this segment faces challenges of cost, range, and infrastructure. Although hydrogen is a possible alternative, it may take up to 5-7 years to become commercially viable.

Therefore, we believe that LNG is the best solution for immediate adoption in long-distance transportation and can aid the transition to green trucking. Additionally, LNG fuel is cost-effective and has a superior emissions profile compared to other options.   PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Aditya Kondejkar

Aditya Kondejkar is Senior Research Analyst – India for PSR Power Systems Research India Private Limited, PSR's office in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Aditya holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to joining PSR, Aditya worked as a QA-Warranty engineer at the Piaggio Vehicles engine plant, during which time he gained a great understanding of the engine powered vehicle and equipment industries. He further expanded his experience to include the B2B and B2C market research industry. His expertise in forecasting, analyzing qualitative insights and converting them into quantitative figures is essential in his work at PSR. Aditya is responsible for managing all of the OE Link™ data for India and other countries in the Indian Subcontinent region. He also supports the global team in custom project research and analysis and helps address client queries related to our data. Aditya's articles have been published in MOTORINDIA, and he is a regular contributor to PSR's PowerTALK newsletter and Quarterly Update Bulletin where he shares insights regarding forecast trends in the India market.

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