4 minute read
Environmental - Giving Transport and Logistics The Green Light
By Jessie Taylor
South Africa’s logistics sector is at a crucial crossroads, where the urgency of decarbonisation meets the challenges of finding viable alternatives to fossil fuels. In a world increasingly prioritising sustainability, freight trucks, which contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, must transition towards greener options.
Electric vehicles (EVs) provide an alternative for passenger transport. However, freight logistics requires more innovative solutions due to the demands of longdistance travel and heavy cargo loads. Among the key alternatives currently being explored are hydro treated vegetable oil and hydrogen fuel.
Alternative Fuels For Freight Trucks
Heavy-duty trucks are responsible for over 40% of global freight emissions, making them a critical focus for decarbonisation efforts. One of the alternatives under consideration is hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO). HVO is a biofuel that offers a seamless transition for logistics companies since it can be used in existing diesel engines without requiring modifications.
The purest form of HVO, HVO100, can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 90% over its lifecycle compared to conventional diesel. Similarly, hydro-treated esters and fatty acids (HEFA), another biofuel with high energy density, also hold potential as a sustainable solution. However, the viability of both HVO and HEFA is limited by supply constraints and higher production costs. While these challenges remain, their potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions without requiring a complete overhaul of vehicle fleets makes them attractive options for the future of sustainable transport in South Africa.
Hydrogen, another option gaining traction, especially for longhaul freight, offers two potential solutions: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (ICEs). FCEVs use fuel cells to generate electricity, powering the trucks’ electric motors. These trucks have longer ranges and shorter refuelling times than battery-electric vehicles, making them well-suited for the long distances typical in freight logistics. Meanwhile, hydrogen ICEs offer a more familiar setup, burning hydrogen in modified engines similar to traditional diesel models.
Yet, the hurdles for hydrogen are steep. Hydrogen trucks cost up to four times as much as conventional diesel trucks, and South Africa lacks the necessary refuelling infrastructure to support widespread adoption. Still, despite these challenges, hydrogen remains a promising long-term solution for freight logistics as global and local efforts toward decarbonisation intensify.
A Focus On Sustainable Transport
The South African government is acutely aware of the need to modernise and decarbonise the country’s transport sector. During her 2024/25 Budget Vote Speech, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy outlined a series of initiatives designed to address the challenges in the sector and promote sustainable transport solutions.
One of the key initiatives is the creation of the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), which was formed to improve the operational performance of freight rail and ports, implement reforms to modernise the transport system and facilitate regulatory changes to support sustainable procurement and funding.
South Africa’s rail network also holds significant potential for reducing carbon emissions and improving transport efficiency. “Building the climate resilience of our ports, road, and rail networks is both a necessity and a new opportunity for investment, growth, economic inclusion, and job creation. Contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all modes of transport will become a necessity once the new Climate Bill is signed into law,” said Minister Creecy.
As South Africa looks to the future, the transport sector will be transformed not only by the shift to green fuels but also by advances in digital technology. Real-time tracking of shipments, artificial intelligence in traffic management, and the potential for self-driving vehicles and drones are all on the horizon. These innovations will streamline logistics, reduce emissions, and improve safety across the sector.
Minister Creecy also highlighted the importance of investing in green transport infrastructure, including the promotion of biogas and green hydrogen as alternative fuels. The Department of Transport’s Green Transport Strategy aims to promote low-carbon technologies and extend the rail network as a more sustainable public transport option. Implementing this strategy will be a priority in the coming years, ensuring that South Africa's transport system contributes to the global push for net-zero emissions by 2050.
The journey toward sustainable transport in South Africa is complex, requiring significant investment in new technologies, infrastructure and legislative frameworks. However, with the commitment of both the private sector and government, as well as the exploration of innovative fuel alternatives such as HVO and hydrogen, the country is making strides toward a greener, more efficient logistics system.
