If operators want lower emissions from their diesel-fuelled Scania fleet, the brand says to switch to biodiesel.
For Scania Australia, conventional diesel-fuelled internal combustion engines will continue to play a role in public and mass transit systems well into the future and can be configured to deliver vastly reduced exhaust emissions.
All of Scania’s modern and efficient bus diesel engines can run on biodiesel, which the brand says can lower CO2 emissions by more than 80 per cent. It can be done by simply substituting regular diesel fuel for EN 14214-compliant B100.
B100 biodiesel is readily available in Australia and is ideally suited to vehicles that are in constant use. In addition to reducing exhaust emissions in high density environments, biofuel is made from what would otherwise be waste material, for example agricultural off-cuts or used cooking oil.
Scania has formed working relationships with ECOTECH Biodiesel, Just Biodiesel and Refuelling Solutions to provide a turn-key solution for bus and coach operators around Australia who are focused on reducing their emissions in a meaningful way, without requiring significant investment in infrastructure or new vehicle systems.
In addition, B100 biofuel is produced in Australia from local sources, reducing the industry’s exposure to imported fuels and importantly keeping investment local.
Scania says switching to run a fleet of existing or new Scania buses on B100 biofuel can happen very quickly and should not require any significant mechanical adjustment to your vehicles. The use of biodiesel can also assist customers in their quest for a lowered overall carbon footprint.
“Our customers are asking us now how we can assist them to reduce their carbon footprint, and we have answers,” Scania Australia’s sustainability solutions manager Anthony King told ABC. “Fortunately, we have been prepared for these questions and have established partnerships with relevant stakeholders so that we can deliver a ready-made, here-and-now biofuel solution.” King says supply is stable and pricing makes sense, especially when viewed against the whole-of-life costs of some other alternative systems.
“Late model Scania bus engines can run on B100 biodiesel,” King says. “It just needs to be pumped into the vehicle’s tanks. The fuel must comply with the EN 14214 standard. If they need to refuel away from the depot, regular diesel can be used interchangeably.”
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Scania Australia director of sales for buses and power solutions Julian Gurney says biodiesel is a quick and easy first step when it comes to lowering emissions. For those running school or charter runs, as well as route bus operators, Gurney says the benefits are equally impressive
“In most operating environments, biofuels make the most sense because our buses, running on B100, deliver broadly similar performance and retain a high degree of fuel efficiency, in addition to the benefit of significantly reduced emissions,” Gurney told ABC.
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Gurney says combining B100 biofuel with an electric-hybrid bus chassis programme can result in significant savings when it comes to fuel consumption.
He says it would also maximise emissions reduction, given the distance that the electric-hybrid chassis can travel in silent mode using battery power alone.
Scania Australia has very high confidence in its B100 biofuel, with European operators having run their Scania buses and coaches on the fuel for many years with excellent results.
Gurney says it can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent.
“The Scania Electric-Hybrid has already been well received in Australia, using a combination of diesel engines and electric machines to boost performance or provide an emissions free approach,” Gurney says. “But the benefit is unquestionably compounded if combined with low CO2 emission B100 biofuels. It’s the best of both worlds.
“Using B100 biodiesel gives you the unmatched Scania reliability you need today with a significantly lowered climate impact.”