21. January 2025, 10:38 o'Clock
Article: HVO targets for 2024 clearly exceeded
DB Cargo exceeds climate targets thanks to HVO and LEADER.
HVO - Strong CO₂ reduction through sustainable fuels
This success was made possible by the collaboration between the project team at DB Cargo and DB Energie GmbH as well as all those involved in the DB "Diesel phase-out" program. By switching from diesel to HVO, we were able to reduce CO₂ emissions at DB Cargo by around 32,000 tons in 2024. This amount of CO₂ saved is roughly equivalent to the amount absorbed by 2.6 million trees per year or the annual CO₂ emissions of around 7,000 households in Germany.
LEADER - energy savings in traction power
In addition to the successes with HVO, DB Cargo was also able to make an important contribution to climate-friendly transport in the area of traction power by using the LEADER driver assistance system. LEADER enables energy optimization of train operations, which led to an average energy saving of 13% in 2024. In total, 42 million kilowatt hours of traction power were saved - a decisive step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in rail freight transport.
On course for sustainability across Europe
DB Cargo is active throughout Europe and is successfully relying on the use of HVO. This is an important step towards achieving our climate targets at European level and at the same time offering an efficient and green logistics solution. Here are some examples:
- DB Cargo Italy: In Italy, our locomotives run almost entirely on HVO.
- DB Cargo UK: In the UK, we are working with our customer Drax, which is now supplying its biomass power plant with HVO-fueled diesel locomotives in a climate-friendly way. This replaces around 2.7 million liters of diesel with HVO.
- DB Cargo Polska: We are also pushing ahead with the use of HVO in Poland.
HVO filling stations: Expansion of the infrastructure
In summer 2024, one of the first HVO filling stations in eastern Germany was opened in Halle/Saale, providing 1 million liters of HVO per year. DB Energie GmbH operates over 20 filling stations across Germany where HVO is available.
Recognition for climate protection initiatives
At InnoTrans 2024, DB Cargo was presented with the UIC Sustainability Impact Award in the "Energy and Decarbonization" category. This award recognizes the successful use of the synthetic fuel HVO 100 and the progress made towards climate-friendly transport by 2040.
Looking ahead: goals for 2025
For 2025, DB Cargo is planning to further introduce HVO at its European subsidiaries and to convert additional filling stations in Germany to HVO. At the same time, the use of technologies such as LEADER (driver assistance systems at DB Cargo) is to be further promoted in order to achieve additional energy savings.
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