FlixBus parent company Flix and Scania have announced a long-term partnership which the two companies describe as an opportunity to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility by developing new solutions and influencing the design of the needed infrastructure.
As a first objective, the two companies aim to transition up to 50 Irizar coaches in partner operators’ fleets to LNG (liquefied natural gas) operation. Scania’s LNG engines are able to use both LNG and bio-LNG, to facilitate the transition towards the most sustainable gas solution.
In the initial phase of the project, the coaches will run on different fuel mixes of bio and fossil origin, with a goal to progressively increase the share of bio-LNG (LBG) from organic waste until the coaches run on bio-LNG only, resulting in an expected CO2 emission reduction rate of around 80% on average, in line with both Scania and Flix’s long-term goal of carbon neutrality.
Scania says that its previous experience with biogas buses has already made it possible to cut CO2 emissions compared to diesel along with lowering noise, while still relying on the power and torque of equivalent diesel engines, which makes biogas a viable and circular option for long-distance operators seeking to profitably increase their sustainable performance.
“Climate change is increasingly taking its toll on the planet and people’s lives, and as a global travel tech company we are aware of our responsibility in paving the way for a more sustainable future for the communities we serve,” commented Fabian Stenger, Chief Operating Officer at Flix. ”Therefore, we are eager to seize any viable opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint on the environment, with fleet transformation being crucial to this end. Scania is an extremely valuable ally for Flix and our bus partners, who operate the business, in different countries, and we are happy to be able to rely on their long-term expertise and know-how to contribute to reshaping long-distance mobility. In time, this will also help us adapt our offering to the rising demand for low-impact travel options from a public that is growing more and more environmentally conscious by the day.”
Head of People Transport Solutions at Scania Johanna Salomonsson Lind added: “Our ambition is to be a front-runner in the shift towards sustainable transport, and this collaboration with Flix represents a significant step in that direction. Biogas solutions are truly circular, and they are possible to implement here-and-now, providing a sustainable solution today that meets climate targets and reinforces social responsibility. The LBG/LNG coaches also represent a smart and sensible choice, because they supply the range and power needed to support any route, at low cost in terms of both investment and operating economy. We are extremely happy to do this jointly with Flix as we know that a wide implementation of biogas solutions can have such a positive impact, not only for the operator, but also for authorities and society at large.”