{"id":179363,"date":"2025-02-24T18:14:45","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T08:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=60086"},"modified":"2025-02-24T18:14:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T08:14:45","slug":"deutsche-bahn-in-pursuit-of-co2-reduction-90-fewer-emissions-with-diesel-substitute-hvo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=179363","title":{"rendered":"Deutsche Bahn in pursuit of CO2 reduction: \u201890% fewer emissions with diesel substitute HVO\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rail can boast of being the most environmentally friendly transport modality. Nevertheless, not all trains are exactly emission-free. On non-electrified tracks, trains may still need to drive on diesel. RailFreight.com had a chat with DB Cargo on their efforts to switch to the more sustainable diesel alternative: Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).<\/strong>
\n<\/span>One of the steps taken by the company was DB Cargo Italia\u2019s switch to HVO<\/a> in 2024. After a number of tests, the company decided that twelve diesel locomotives, used for both line and shunting operations, would make the change to HVO.<\/p>\n

By now, over 50 per cent of all locomotive fuel consumption consists of HVO. DB Cargo Italia has encountered a small limitation to HVO, however. \u201cUnfortunately, we can\u2019t use it on electric locomotives with diesel last-mile modules because it\u2019s not compatible with the smaller engines\u201d, explains company representative Emanuele Vender.<\/p>\n

The operator was also recommended by the lessor to sporadically mix HVO with normal diesel, because there are concerns about the long-term effects with the diesel-substitute being such a novelty. From a technical perspective, the engine is approved for HVO by the manufacturer.<\/p>\n

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Image: Deutsche Bahn AG. \u00a9 Uwe Miethe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

DB using HVO, not only in Italy<\/h2>\n

The switch of DB\u2019s Italy chapter is not the first or only one. In Germany, 12,9 million litres has already been substituted with HVO. In the UK, the company uses 2,7 million litres of HVO annually. In Poland, the company is working on an introduction of HVO.<\/p>\n

Philipp Nowak, project manager at DB Cargo, explains DB Cargo\u2019s HVO ambitions. \u201cWe have the aim to be climate neutral by 2040. We are looking for alternatives, but it is a challenge to reduce emissions, specifically on non-electrified tracks in our branch.\u201d<\/p>\n

The DB group started a project to look for opportunities. \u201cIn rail freight, there are no good technical alternatives to combustion engines at the moment. Battery-electric vehicles don\u2019t have enough capacity, due to our very heavy trains. But we are open to technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

And thus, DB turned to HVO. It is a bridging technology for DB until it is clear which type of drive will prevail in the future. The company tested both old and modern engines, to see if they could run on HVO. The company got \u201cgood, positive results\u201d, and started approving more locomotives. Since 2023, it has approved all locomotives owned within the DB Cargo group for HVO \u2013 over 1400 locomotives in just two years.<\/p>\n