Scania and FlixBus Unveil First Long-Distance Coach Powered by Biogas

(Scania and Gasum/NGV Journal) Scania, mobility provider FlixBus and Gasum have partnered to launch the first international coach running on biomethane, which will operate the Stockholm-Oslo route. Powered by bio-LNG, the vehicle will reduce climate impact and contribute to a fossil-free transport between the two Nordic capitals. Availability of biogas is improving quickly throughout Europe, especially as the EU decided to make fueling points available along main European road networks (TEN-T).

Biomethane is currently used in compressed form mainly by city buses, cars and light transport vehicles, but has so far been less competitive for heavy long-distance vehicles. In recent years, technology has been developed to cool the biogas to around minus 160°C so that it becomes liquid and thus more energy-dense. This opens up the possibility of using the gas for, among other things, heavy transport, both by land and by sea.

The benefits of bio-LNG are many: it is fossil-free, renewable, locally produced and reduces emissions. When used in long-distance trucks or buses, it helps operators reduce both their own and their customers’ climate impact by more than 90%. Air quality in general is also positively affected by reduced emissions of particles and NOx, while the quieter vehicles benefit both drivers and passengers, and the society at large.

“Biogas is not only the fuel with the lowest CO2 emissions – it also solves local waste problems, creates local jobs and brings carbon and nutrients back to the soil. It is the Swiss Army Knife of circular economy,” said Jonas Strömberg, Sustainability Director at Scania. “Biogas will be one of the key tools for decarbonization of heavy duty transport – especially for long distance operations like intercity and long-haulage. Half of Europe’s heavy duty natural gas fleet could be powered by biogas in 2025.”

“Our vision is to offer sustainable mobility to everybody. Green-tech is at the core of our business and one of our key sustainability drivers. We ensure that the resurgence of travel is sustainable, and biogas is certainly one of the most important technologies to achieve this already today,” commented André Schwämmleinn, CEO of FlixMobility.

“The partnership is a result of a great co-operation between Gasum, FlixBus and Scania. Together we are building a cleaner future. We hope that in the near future biogas will become even more common as a fuel for busses as it reduces both CO2 emissions and local emissions, making it a perfect choice to decrease the impact of public transportation to cities’ air quality,” added Mikael Antonsson, Sales Director, Traffic Sweden, Gasum. READ MORE