– The entire industry is ready to adapt, but then they also need political signals that make the industry dare to invest, says Ingelin Noresjø, program manager in the Green Land Transport Program (GLP). In the autumn, the Ministry of Climate and the Environment presented the government’s climate status and plan, “Green Book”. According to it, Norway must cut greenhouse gases by 16.5 million tonnes in order to reach the climate targets in 2030. Road traffic and other transport is the largest emission sector with a total of 16.4 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2022. In order to reach the climate targets, the transport sector must halve its emissions. But GLP believes the government is not facilitating enough for the industry to be able to reach the targets. Ingelin Noresjø, program manager at GLP, believes that the state budget for 2024 does not reflect an investment in Norway’s largest emissions sector. Photo: Green Land Transport Program – The government has imposed on the industry and set a target that it should reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. Then you can’t sit and twiddle your thumbs while you sit and wait for the industry to figure this out for itself, says Noresjø . – The budget is not adapted to the transport sector Emissions from road traffic increased by 17 per cent from 1990 to 2022. The increase is primarily due to increased freight transport, which has resulted in greater emissions from vans and heavier vehicles. Noresjø therefore believes that the transport sector must be raised on the “climate agenda”. – Road traffic and other transport is Norway’s largest emission sector. And we do not see that the national budget reflects this, says Noresjø. She points to three things in particular: Zeroing of the CO₂ tax: In the new state budget, the CO₂ tax was increased, while the road use tax was reduced by the equivalent of 60 per cent. Electrification: The government believes that electric trucks and electrification will solve everything within the transport sector, but there is a lack of enough power and charging stations. Extreme weather like Hans presents yet another vulnerability. Alternative fuels: The industry wants to use more biogas, and eventually hydrogen, but these alternatives are not considered in the state budget. GLP points to a mix of biofuel, electricity, biogas and hydrogen as a solution and the path to the climate goal in 2030. The roll-out of electric trucks is already in full swing. But most municipalities have to stand in a queue to have chargers installed, and in some places it may take as long as 10 years. In other words, electrification alone will not solve the challenges in transport, believes GLP. – It is difficult to make good long-term plans The Norwegian Environment Agency points to several measures that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Among those relating to heavy transport, zero-emission technology, such as electric vehicles, and the use of biogas are important measures. For one of Norway’s largest transport companies, Nor-log, with around 1,000 transport units and 750 professional drivers, it is important to be part of the green shift. – It is important for us, as a large and significant player in the industry, to ensure that we limit our footprint, says Lars Arne Brøttem, CEO of Nor-log. Nor-log will build seven filling stations for liquid and compressed biogas. The filling station company has been named Biogass Energi AS, and the stations will be ready during 2024. The company has received 42 million in support from Enova to build the stations. Photo: Nor-log Nor-log set a goal three years ago to be climate neutral in 2027. As of today, they have nine trucks that run on biofuel, and five distribution trucks that are electric. Brøttem explains that investment in trucks in itself is quite large, and that an investment in more sustainable trucks will be even more expensive. CEO of Nor-log, Lars Arne Brøttem, says there is not enough power to only invest in electric vehicles, and believes that biogas is an absolutely necessary alternative. Photo: Nor-kog – When it comes to biogas, people quickly talk about an investment that is 30 per cent higher than fossil fuels. Electric and battery you can walk with three. Therefore, it is important to get signals about what type of technology we should choose, says Brøttem. – A paradox Brøttem believes that it is critical that the transport sector is not highlighted in this year’s state budget. He believes that the industry is ready to take climate responsibility, but that they feel that the authorities have not made arrangements for it. – Support for biogas was removed at one month’s notice, and support for those who will develop the infrastructure for filling biogas was removed. The paradox is that the technology is there and fully usable, but the infrastructure is not ready, says Brøttem. Although biogas is pointed to as one of the solutions that will make the transport industry emission-free in the future, one of the most modern facilities in the country closed this autumn. Not long after, the biogas plant in Finnmark also closed. Climate Minister Espen Barth Eide said before the summer that everything that can be electrified should be electrified. – It is not suitable for all types of long-distance transport as of today with electricity, is the answer to Brøttem. The arguments are the short range of today’s electric trucks, too few charging stations – which in turn creates challenges with the driving and rest time regulations for drivers when they have to charge. Open to other solutions The government’s answer is that investments in zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure take place in parallel. – Using electric batteries is the most energy-efficient way to drive, but we are of course open to other solutions such as biogas and hydrogen where electricity becomes demanding, says Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad (Ap), State Secretary for the Ministry of Climate and the Environment. Charging infrastructure is crucial for success, Syrstad explains – and adds that the Norwegian Road Administration and Nye Veier have recently drawn up a plan for charging stations for heavier vehicles along the national road network. State Secretary Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad (Ap) says that transport accounts for a large part of the emissions, and that the government is planning large emission cuts in this sector through a combination of grants, tax incentives, requirements and regulations. Photo: CECILIE BERGAN STUEDAL – Are enough arrangements being made to bet on biogas? – We have several instruments to develop the market and support the production of biogas. The most important instruments are mainly investment support for production facilities, exemption from CO₂ tax and road use tax, requirements in public procurement and support for the delivery of manure for biogas production, says Syrstad.
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Norway’s largest emissions sector requires action from the government
