FTA Ireland have been doing a lot of work in the space of environmental management within commercial fleet operators over the last 10 years. The FTA Ireland TruckSafe™ and VanSafe™ standards focus on how commercial fleet operators are managing their fuel burn. It audits operational compliance in the areas of road safety, haulage operations, roadworthiness, working time and environmental efficiencies. As an operational compliance audit both TruckSafe™ and VanSafe™ are encouraging members to have sustainable and pro-active management systems in place. This has the added benefit for members by helping them reduce their carbon emission, reduce costs associated with fuel purchasing and aid their transition to alternative fuelling technologies whilst staying safe on the road. Members are required to submit a 3-year fuel efficiency and management plan as part of the annual audit. Litres used, and Kilometres driven are collected from members to the scheme each quarter. FTA Ireland members have saved over 2.5million litres of diesel fuel. This is the equivalent of over 7million Kg of CO2e .
ALTERNATIVE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES
Alternative Fuel Working Group
The FTA Ireland Alternative Fuels Working Group has been established for 3 years. The FTA Ireland TruckSafe Standard has incorporated fuel efficiencies and environmental standards as part of our member annual compliance audit. The standard is supporting members by recognising the highest standards of operational compliance, safety and professionalism. The Alternative Fuels working group expands upon the objectives by the association to support our members through expert advice and guidance that supports strategic planning and decision making those deliveries efficiencies and promotes competitiveness. The working group has over the years also supported the FTAI policy position on alternative technologies and aided our engagement with key stakeholders to understand the issues for the logistics sector in transitioning to alternative fuels but most importantly to develop collaborative relationships that endeavour to deliver clear roadmaps to net zero that takes account of the complexities of transition whilst supporting the sustainability of businesses within the freight distribution and logistics sector. To participate in this working group please email aflynn@ftai.ie or phone 018447516.
ALTERNATIVE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES
CNG / LNG / Electric /Hydrogen
Support and incentives must be provided to industry for adoption of alternative fuel technologies and there should be tax breaks for CNG/LNG/Hydrogen and Electric vehicle adaption. The recently published Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017 -2030 details Ireland’s commitment to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050. Transport accounts for 20% of Ireland’s emissions with 25% of this amount apportioned to the freight industry. (4% is accountable to public transport). It is incumbent on Government to not just lead the way in this transition but to encourage and incentivise the private sector to adapt to new technologies that will have dramatic effect on emissions data for the country. According to the Alternative Fuels Report (Pg 50) it is expected that there will be 19 refuelling sites for CNG in operation by 2020 (as at October 2020 there is 2 open). It is essential to build industry trust that new alternative fuels are sustainable and viable options for industry. This includes, ease of access to refuelling network, refuelling sites strategically located in heavily used commercial routes etc. Burning natural gas as compared to diesel results in an approximate 22% climate benefit at combustion due to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Industry will adapt to new technologies if there is business need, it is viable and can deliver to suit the company’s needs.
[1] NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK ALTERNATIVE FUELS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TRANSPORT IN IRELAND 2017 to 2030
[2] NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK ALTERNATIVE FUELS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TRANSPORT IN IRELAND 2017 to 2030
[3] CNG is largely methane or CH4 i.e. there are 4 hydrogen atoms for each carbon atom. In contrast diesel is a complex mix of hydrocarbons, its constituents vary from C10H20 to C15H28 but broadly 3 hydrogen atoms to each carbon atom. This fundamental property is what makes CNG and LNG cleaner and more carbon efficient than diesel. The gaps in combustion efficiency compared to diesel are rapidly being closed with new High Pressure Direct Injection technology (HPDI).