If coaches are operated with alternative fuels, they are even the most ecological means of travel and thus cleaner than trains. How can that be?
To compare the environmental balance of means of transport, the CO2 emissions of a vehicle must be considered holistically. In addition to CO2 emissions from direct operation, CO2 emissions from energy production, vehicle production, disposal, maintenance, and the provision of infrastructure (airports, railway stations, roads) are particularly significant.
In long-distance trains, CO2 emissions for electricity production account for the largest share. At SBB, which obtains its electricity from hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, these are almost CO2-neutral. However, this is not the case with the electricity from railway companies in surrounding countries.
In diesel-powered coaches, the combustion of diesel accounts for 75% of total CO2 emissions. If buses are on the road with alternative fuels, this is lower. Twiliner therefore uses biogas from waste oil, which is considered CO2-neutral. In this way, coaches made from waste oil can transport passengers more sustainably than any other means of transport.
In order to compare the modes of transport, the CO2 emissions of the means of transport per kilometer are calculated and divided by the average number of passengers. This results in the following picture.
Calculation
The CO2 emissions are based on data from the FOEN’s Mobitool v2.13 and energieschweiz. It considers CO2 emissions from direct operation, energy provision, vehicle maintenance, vehicle manufacturing and disposal as well as infrastructure (road, airports, tracks). For long-distance trains, average values for Germany, Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland are used. For “coaches (biodiesel)” the same data are taken as for coaches, whereby the operation with biodiesel is CO2-neutral based on the methodology of the klik biodiesel programme of Biofuels Switzerland / FOEN . The CO2 emissions for the biodiesel coach are thus limited to CO2 emissions for energy provision, vehicle maintenance, vehicle production and disposal and the road.
Related Links
Environmentally friendly mobile! An ecological comparison of transport types for passenger and freight transport in Germany
Getting There Greener. The Guide to Your Lower-Carbon Vacation.