German LNG demand for transport more than doubles

Sales of LNG as a fuel for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Germany more than doubled in January-September from the whole of 2019, gas industry group Zukunft Erdgas said.

German filling stations sold almost 30,200t of LNG in January-September, up from 14,550t in January-December 2019, Zukunft Erdgas said, adding that it forecasts sales to total around 47,000t by the end of this year.

The number of LNG stations in the country more than tripled to 39 as of early December from 11 at the end of last year, Zukunft Erdgas said.

A growing number of logistics firms have recognised the potential of LNG as a "climate-friendly alternative fuel", as indicated by the increasing demand and the rising number of LNG stations and of vehicle registrations of LNG-fuelled HGVs, Zukunft Erdgas chief executive Timm Kehler said.

The growth of LNG demand from HGVs was supported by subsidy measures and the exemption from motorway tolls, which was extended until the end of 2023, Kehler said.

By Livia Gallarati