Agravis calls for a technology-open turnaround in heavy goods transport

21.07.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Biogenic fuels are needed to decarbonize heavy goods transport in the near future, according to Agravis. Political equality of treatment with electric and hydrogen is desired.

The EU Commission wants to extend the toll exemption for zero-emission trucks until 2031. This is the result of a legislative proposal to amend the Eurovignette Directive. However, the EU only defines zero-emission trucks as battery-powered electric trucks or those powered by fuel cells. Biogenic fuels are not included, which immediately provoked criticism from the agricultural trading company Agravis Raiffeisen AG with reference to the decarbonization targets. In order to "achieve real progress in the near future, decisive political action is needed to promote alternative fuels", Agravis emphasized in a press release on 18 July.

In particular, the company considers biogenic fuels such as CNG and LNG from biomethane or HVO to be the most effective alternative to fossil fuels at present. "The pure focus on electric and hydrogen is not technologically feasible for the next decade," says Johannes Joslowski, responsible for the New Energy division at Agravis. The company, whose business areas include filling stations, is therefore calling for a political reorientation. The EU needs to rethink its "ideologically driven zero-emissions strategy" - away from a pure focus on battery-electric drives and hydrogen and towards a genuine openness to technology.

According to Agravis, bio-LNG and bio-CNG are already established, technically mature and proven in practice in heavy goods transport. The company, which as a so-called distributor of fossil fuels is obliged to reduce the CO₂ emissions of its products as part of the greenhouse gas reduction quota (GHG quota), is committed to harmonizing the funding conditions. A toll exemption or targeted investment subsidies "similar to electric and hydrogen vehicles" would promote the market ramp-up of gas vehicles.

In addition to equal regulatory treatment, Agravis also advocates structural adjustments to the GHG system: it is important to stabilize the GHG quota price and secure the market for alternative fuels. Lessons must be learned quickly from the fraudulent misuse of greenhouse gas certificates, which has led to a fall in the price of GHG quotas.

Author: Imke Herzog