Alternative drive systems in logistics

Transport processes cause up to 20 per cent of global CO₂ emissions. Sustainable solutions in logistics are therefore crucial to counteracting climate change. thyssenkrupp Materials Services is already using alternative drive systems for trucks that are in use at several subsidiaries.

Plant power in the tank

Who would have thought that plants could make logistics greener? In 2024, our British subsidiary thyssenkrupp Materials UK invested in three trucks that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). This alternative fuel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats. Hydrogenation, a chemical reaction with hydrogen, produces a clean, stable and efficient fuel. The result: a drive system made entirely from renewable raw materials with a carbon footprint that is up to 95 per cent lower than that of conventional diesel, as our own calculations show. It is also biodegradable and can be stored for up to ten years. Another major advantage of HVO is that no modifications need to be made to the engine, which makes it easy to integrate into the existing fleet.

By using hydrotreated vegetable oil, we have not only been able to reduce our Scope 1 emissions, but also realize economic benefits. The aim is to gradually switch the entire logistics fleet in the UK to HVO.

H₂, Go!

Since January 2024, we have been supplying our customers with the first hydrogen-powered trucks. These vehicles work with fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity and therefore cause no direct emissions during operation. The only by-product: water. Our hydrogen trucks have a range of around 450 kilometers and a top speed of 85 km/h. With an annual mileage of around 76,000 kilometers, such a truck saves up to 40 tons of CO₂ per year.

The vehicles are currently in use for our subsidiary thyssenkrupp Plastics in North Rhine-Westphalia – particularly in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area, as the accessibility of H₂ refueling stations is guaranteed here. Other subsidiaries are due to receive hydrogen-powered trucks this year.

Bio-Power instead of diesel fumes

In the USA, more precisely in California, a large part of our truck fleet already runs on the renewable biodiesel R99. A major advantage: no modifications to the engines were necessary for the changeover, but the CO₂ savings are enormous.

In addition, thyssenkrupp Materials North America is testing trucks that run on renewable natural gas (RNG). Due to its availability and infrastructure, this is an attractive alternative to conventional diesel.

Biogas trucks offer ecological and economic advantages over diesel-powered vehicles. Biogas is obtained from organic waste and produces fewer pollutants during combustion. The costs are often lower than for diesel, which leads to cost savings. In addition, biogas can be distributed via the existing natural gas infrastructure. In addition to trucks that run entirely on biogas, our North American subsidiary also uses hybrid trucks. These combine a combustion engine with an electric drive and offer impressive flexibility in terms of range and infrastructure.

Fewer emissions in many ways

There are many ways to decarbonize logistics. However, it remains to be seen which technologies will prevail in the long term. That is why we are focusing on diversification. We are testing various approaches in pilot phases in order to further develop proven options – and to reduce our own CO₂ emissions and those of our customers. Our ‘BEYOND’ sustainability strategy sets the direction: It is based on international ESG standards and deliberately goes one step further in these areas. This is because we want to support our customers with smart solutions and low-emission products so that they can fulfil their sustainability goals and become climate-neutral ourselves from 2030.