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News 27 June 2020

On the road to the future with our new LNG trucks

LNG Trucks

At the start of 2020 the vehicle park of Nedlin was expanded with three LNG trucks. Since then, Nedlin drives about 50,000 kilometres per month on ‘Liquefied Natural Gas’: a sustainable alternative for diesel, for example. In order to do better every day for people, the environment and the company, Nedlin also keeps innovating logistics, for lower costs and higher impact.

LNG

If you cool natural gas down to -161 degrees Celsius, you get LNG. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, and one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world. By driving on LNG, oil wells will not be depleted and the emission will be reduced, so that the temperature of the earth will not rise so fast. Since Nedlin makes use of a double-decker, logistics are even more efficient and the total CO2 emission is reduced even further.

By using the latest technology, we can achieve optimal performance with the lowest possible emission per kilometer.

Marcel Ariaans
The newest way of driving

Marcel Ariaans, manager logistics at Nedlin: “By using the latest technology, we can achieve optimal performance with the lowest possible emission per kilometer. That is why we have a relatively young vehicle fleet, and we are always looking for smarter alternatives.”

In June, Nedlin started testing the LNG trucks on our routes. Marcel: “It wasn’t long until we noticed the difference. Our drivers were driving even more economically. With double-decker trucks, the cargo can be twice as big. In total, the mission of CO2 is about 20% lower. Since we are driving more economically, we will not have to pay toll (‘maut’) for this truck in Germany over the coming years”.

Driver of change

Nedlin drivers were trained to drive as economically as possible. By optimising driving behaviour and routes, we have already saved over ten percent on fuel. With the LNG trucks, the Nedlin drivers can drive even more economically. Marcel explains: “Our drivers are driving with a gas tank now. This is not something that’s easy to connect, so filling up is not simple. That’s why our drivers need to get a special certificate first, before they can head out. They have a special personalised fuel card and all receive training on how to deal with calamities”.

Green sum

Marcel: “These trucks aren’t for free. If you do all the calculations, the total costs must be just about the same, but our emission has been significantly reduced. Technology is developing at a rapid pace. Hydrogen seems promising, the operating radius of this truck could be improved. Maybe the future is hybrid: diesel on the highway, electric in cities. For our routes, LNG is the most fitting and most sustainable option right now. That’s why we keep improving rather than waiting. By the time that we write off this truck, this development will probably be common good”.

Marcel: “Our clients are also more and more interested in how sustainable we are. But it’s important for everything to fit. For instance, our double-decker may not be the right size for our client’s loading ramp. In this case we find an alternative”.

We were the first laundry facility in the Netherlands with a double-decker. Now the same thing applies to the LNG trucks.

Marcel Ariaans
Staying ahead

Logistics complete the cycle. For Nedlin, this goes beyond a vehicle fleet that keeps getting greener. Marcel: “In the end, driving less is the most sustainable thing. Other laundry facilities load two, three or sometimes four times a day. We do it five times a week”. That is why Nedlin keeps innovating and completing the cycle with smart solutions: “Ten years ago, we were driving with ten trucks and 360 roller containers per day. Now we’re up to about 1500. Our scope is growing, which means our impact is growing too. So we need to be smarter every day. What we do is about more than just linen. It’s about how we work together, to make everything more efficient. We were the first laundry facility in the Netherlands with a double-decker. Now the same thing applies to the LNG trucks. We keep wondering every day: how can we stay ahead?”.