Japan turns to LNG as transport fuel

The world’s largest importer of LNG, Japan, is turning its sights on increasing the share of LNG-fuelled trucks and vessels in order to cut on carbon emissions. 

The country aims to diversify energy sources in the freight sector, and the report by trade ministry highlights the need for diversification of transport fuels, Reuters reports.

Ministry’s director of oil and gas, Ryo Minami said that diversification of fuel types in the distribution sector would improve the country’s ability to respond in an energy crisis situation. Minami intends to have 10% of long-distance trucks running on LNG. There are currently 300,000 long-distance trucks rolling on Japanese roads.

Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster gas has gained on importance and currently 40% of Japanese electricity is generated from it with LNG imports reaching record levels of 89 million tonnes in the year to March.

Japan Gas Association expects to have 500,000 LNG or CNG fueled vehicles on Japanese roads by 2030 taking up 20% of the total number of trucks, but this depends on the construction of necessary infrastructure. Currently, only 44,000 vehicles are fueled by CNG and there are no LNG-fuelled trucks.

Industry officials expect the government to take up a more active role by subsidizing the creation of new infrastructure. It currently targets introducing LNG trucks with a 1,000 km range and promoting CNG trucks for short-distance transport.

Isuzu Motors is currently in the process of developing Japan’s first LNG-fuelled truck.

LNG World News Staff