Client: Migros Genossenschaft Bund MGB
Project team: Stefanie Conrad, Gavin Roberts
Services: CustomLCA
Year: 2021
The Migros truck fleet uses a variety of fuel systems. Diesel, biodiesel, biogas, electricity and hydrogen are used. Carbotech compare the different energy sources with regard to their environmental impact and their CO2 footprint.
Initial situation
In order to make road transport as environmentally friendly as possible, Migros relies on clever scheduling, fuel-saving driving methods and the use of alternative drive technologies. In the cooperatives’ own fleets, vehicles with alternative propulsion systems such as hydrogen, electricity, biogas and biodiesel are also used. As a basis for decision-making for the renewal of the fleets, Carbotech compare the different drive systems and calculate the corresponding life cycle assessments. Since the CO2 footprint only considers some of many environmental impacts and can thus lead to erroneous conclusions, the environmental footprint according to the Method of Ecological Scarcity (MöK) 2013 was analysed in addition to the greenhouse potential according to IPCC 2013.
The following fuels in the respective variants were examined:
Results and assessment
The alternative drive systems were compared with regular diesel. The investigation was carried out taking into account the actual, measured consumption quantities and the specific origin of the energy sources. This provided Migros’ transport and logistics managers with valuable and precise insights into the main environmental impacts of heavy commercial vehicles. Carbotech also showed current trends in drive technologies and possible developments in the availability of energy sources.
Finally, it should be mentioned that any transport that does not take place remains the best transport for the environment. And rail is still preferable to road.
