Fuelling net-zero: What’s next for alternative fuels and their infrastructure

As road transport heads towards carbon neutrality, we spoke with fuel platform specialist xavvy for insights on the latest challenges and opportunities. From renewable natural gas and ultra-fast charging to digital interfaces and fleet management, here's what's shaping the future of alternative fuels.

We asked Maren Classen, Sales Manager at xavvy fuel, to walk us through the latest developments in alternative fuels and the infrastructure needed to operationalise them.

What are the key trends and adoption patterns in alternative fuels?

xavvy: The alternative fuels market is growing rapidly, driven by advancements in biofuels, hydrogen, renewable natural gas (RNG) and electricity. Sustainability goals are driving the adoption of alternative fuels.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are making significant inroads in light transport, while hydrogen is increasingly favoured for heavy-duty trucking. RNG provides a compelling low-carbon alternative, and biofuels remain popular given their compatibility with conventional engines.

While government incentives boost adoption, long-haul vehicles still face challenges, including limited range, infrastructure gaps and high costs.

How are petrol stations evolving, and what changes can we expect in the next decade?

xavvy: Petrol stations are diversifying, with leading oil companies like Aral now offering specialised charging stations for trucks. Many stations, including across Europe, have also added alternative fuels like compressed natural gas and hydrotreated vegetable oil.

In the next five to ten years, we can expect refuelling points to cater to electric, hydrogen and liquefied natural gas vehicles. Future heavy-duty stations will also integrate ultra-fast charging, hydrogen refuelling and digital interfaces to enhance fleet management. Features like real-time fuel tracking and automated billing will streamline operations and reduce downtime.

What fuel efficiency obstacles are impacting the logistics sector?

xavvy: The logistics industry faces several efficiency challenges. Volatile fuel prices significantly affect operating costs, complicating fuel management for logistics companies. Limited range also remains a major obstacle for electric and hydrogen vehicles, particularly in long-haul transport.

The infrastructure gap is another issue. The inconsistent availability of refuelling and recharging stations hampers route planning and vehicle utilisation.

Furthermore, as stricter emissions regulations are enacted, the logistics industry faces pressure to comply without clear, universal solutions for fuel-efficient options that suit all vehicle types.

What infrastructure improvements are needed, and what is standing in the way?

xavvy: Expanding refuelling networks for electricity, hydrogen and RNG is crucial for supporting long-distance transport. High-speed charging for trucks will minimise downtime, while grid capacity upgrades are essential for handling rising EV demand.

Barriers include high infrastructure costs, regulatory inconsistencies across regions, and the absence of standardised industry solutions. Overcoming these challenges will require collaboration between governments and industry actors.

How can data enhance fleet management for companies adopting alternative fuels?

xavvy: Data analytics and the internet of things (IoT) are transforming fleet management, particularly in tracking vehicle performance and optimising fuel consumption.

Furthermore, telematics systems help route vehicles through corridors with alternative fuel stations, minimising delays, while performance tracking is allowing companies to compare the efficiency of various fuel types, enabling smarter investment decisions.

Additionally, real-time data is helping fleet managers to measure environmental impact and align with sustainability goals.

How will alternative fuel infrastructure evolve over the next five years?

xavvy: Hydrogen and electric charging networks will likely expand across most regions, particularly along major transport routes. Charging and fuelling networks will become more interconnected, enabling cross-border compatibility and smoother operations.

Infrastructure will likely integrate more sensors and IoT technology, enabling dynamic pricing and real-time occupancy data. This advancement will also support predictive maintenance at stations.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.