LNG for heavy duty vehicles in Central Europe: Breaking the chicken-and-egg problem

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has become a very promising alternative fuel technology for long-distance transports in the last years as it causes 20% less CO2, 80-90% less NOx and almost zero PM and SOx emissions compared to diesel. Many fleet operators in North America, China and parts of Europe are already successfully demonstrating the viability of the technology. However, large areas of Central Europe are still lacking the infrastructure which would be necessary to stimulate the widespread application of LNG in this region. Only recently, the very first LNG refueling station has been opened in Germany in June 2016. In countries like Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Hungary there is still no infrastructure available. The situation can be characterized as a chicken-and-egg problem where the necessary infrastructure is not provided because there is no demand for LNG signaled, but on the other hand potential users can not indicate their demand since the infrastructure for using LNG is missing. Consequently, there are two approaches to break this chicken-and-egg problem: first to establish the reliable supply of LNG in Central Europe to encourage pioneer users to introduce LNG as an alternative fuel for their fleet. And second to prove interest and willingness of potential customers to test LNG technology in order to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing LNG infrastructure in Central Europe. According to this, the following article will give an overview of possibilities how to provide Central Europe with LNG and thereafter describe potential users’ attitude towards introducing LNG in Central Europe.