The trains are being operated on the Aulendorfer Kreuz and Donau-Ostalb networks, and a filling station at Aulendorf has been converted to provide the biofuel. According to DB, by the end of 2023 1.3 million liters of biofuel will have been provided by the filling station. The station can also be used by other railway companies.
The hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuel used by DB consists of biological residues and waste and is free of palm oil. The diesel trains do not need to be specially converted for biofuel. Fully functional diesel trains and diesel locomotives, which are currently still being used on routes that are not fully electrified, do not, therefore, have to be discarded prematurely, but can be used in a much more climate-friendly manner until the end of their service life. This saves resources and serves sustainability, DB noted.
Evelyn Palla, head of regional transport at DB said, “For us, the use of biofuel is an immediate climate protection measure. Together with the state of Baden-Württemberg, we are taking an important step towards phasing out diesel and climate neutrality. By December 2023, we will save around 3,700 tons of CO2 in the two networks. Before the end of this year, we want to use the biofuel in regional transport at other locations throughout Germany. In this way, we are making the already climate-friendly public transport system even greener and more attractive for our passengers.”
Winfried Hermann, minister of transport of Baden-Württemberg, added, “Trains should no longer run on climate-damaging diesel. We are therefore working nationwide on a strategy to get away from diesel fuel. Where electrification is not yet possible, we rely on alternative fuels. Aulendorf is a small but important railway hub for the region. From today, the diesel vehicles drive here in Upper Swabia with a significantly lower CO2 footprint. The state of Baden-Württemberg is supporting these measures in 2022 and 2023 with a total of €400,000.”