Sustainable travel in Germany

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agt is one of Germany's leading agencies for bus rental, passenger transportation and many other mobility services. More than 100 professionals ensure that you receive a tailor-made offer for your project in less than 24 hours. We guarantee intensive support before, during and after the trip.

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Agenda

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important
Problem child with hope: the airplane
Rail: sustainably in the fast lane
Sustainable mobility on the road - the coach
Low CO2 emissions & efficient technologies

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important

In an age of growing awareness of environmental and climate protection, topics such as "sustainable travel" and "sustainable mobility" are becoming increasingly important for both business and private travelers. This is not only about ecological aspects, but also about social and economic concerns. How can you make your personal travel more sustainable, is this possible or just greenwashing? As a mobility service provider, it is crucial for us to promote sustainable tourism and therefore sustainable mobility. In this area, we see ourselves as promoters of environmentally friendly travel, which we implement for the customer and thus increase demand.

In this article, we carry out a detailed comparison of means of transport for sustainable travel in Germany. Our focus is on airplanes, cars, trains, coaches and long-distance buses. We concentrate on the most sustainable forms of these means of transportation and take a critical look at sustainability. The aim is to identify the mode of transport that has the least impact on the environment and meets the needs of travelers.

In an age of increasing environmental and climate awareness, it makes sense to make a detailed comparison of different means of transportation in order to enable sustainable and needs-based travel in Germany.

Passenger cars - flexibility with light and shade

Passenger cars are still a popular means of individual travel in Germany. However, the CO2 emissions of conventional combustion engines are considerable, averaging 147 grams per passenger kilometer. The popularity of the combustion engine could be due to the extensive, established infrastructure for petrol and diesel filling stations as well as the greater range compared to electric vehicles, especially for long-distance journeys.

However, switching to more environmentally friendly vehicles is crucial in order to reduce the negative environmental impact of transportation, improve air quality and ensure sustainable mobility for future generations. Eco-friendly engines that use renewable energy or alternative fuels contribute to long-term, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient mobility.

Electric vehicles offer a sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles. They do not generate any direct CO2 emissions while driving, as they are based on electric motors instead of burning fossil fuels. However, the total emissions depend on the electricity generation: If the electricity is sourced from renewable sources, the emissions are almost zero; if the electricity comes from a mix, fossil fuels are involved. Electric vehicles do not produce any exhaust gases such as nitrogen oxides or particulate matter during operation, which helps to improve air quality, especially in urban areas. In addition, electric motors with an efficiency of over 80% are significantly more efficient than combustion engines, which only convert 20-30% of the energy used into kinetic energy.

Technological advances in charging infrastructure, battery technology and engine efficiency are constantly contributing to the improvement of ecological travel with electric vehicles. This underlines the importance of developing and promoting electric mobility as a key element of sustainable travel and reducing the environmental impact of private transportation.

Problem child with hope: the airplane

Air travel allows travelers to cover long distances in the shortest possible time. However, airplanes are also responsible for significant CO2 emissions and air pollution. According to the Federal Environment Agency, a flight to the Maldives produces about as much CO2 as the average annual output of a mid-range car. In order to reduce the environmental impact of air travel and enable sustainable travel, airlines are increasingly opting for more sustainable aircraft fleets. Various new technologies aim to improve the sustainability of aircraft and reduce CO2 emissions.

The use of lighter composite materials and highly efficient engines in aviation contributes significantly to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Compared to older generations of aircraft, modern airplanes with more efficient engines and lighter materials consume significantly less kerosene. According to the German Aviation Association, kerosene consumption per 100 kilometers and passenger has been reduced from 6.3 liters to around 3.6 liters over the last 30 years. These improvements are mainly due to more efficient engines and the use of lighter materials.

One example of the technological development in this area is the GTF Advantage engine from Pratt & Whitney for the Airbus A320 Neo family. This engine reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 17 percent compared to previous generation engines. The GTF Advantage configuration incorporates technological improvements throughout the engine core, resulting in higher thrust performance and thus greater range and payload. This engine will be available for A320 Neo Family aircraft from January 2024 and is compatible with 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

These developments are part of a comprehensive effort to make aviation more environmentally friendly. However, it will still take some time before such technologies become widespread across the entire fleet, particularly due to the long service life of aircraft and the long order and delivery times for new aircraft.

Good to know

Non-full aircraft cause higher CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer, on average around 230 to 300 grams, compared to full aircraft, although the exact values may vary.

Airlines should strive for higher utilization of their aircraft to improve efficiency and sustainability, as actual emissions vary depending on flight conditions and aircraft type.

Many airlines offer CO2 compensation, where passengers offset the estimated CO2 emissions of their journey through payments that are used to finance environmental protection projects such as reforestation or renewable energies.

In the long term, sustainable travel will only lead to a real reduction in environmental impact by reducing fuel consumption, using renewable energies and promoting alternative technologies.

Sustainability

Our sustainability efforts are not only dedicated to reducing CO2 emissions, but also to implementing sustainable processes along the value chain.

Rail: sustainably in the fast lane

Compared to airplanes and cars, train travel causes significantly lower CO2 emissions. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency, the CO2 emissions of a train journey are around a tenth of those of a domestic flight - 32 grams per passenger kilometer in long-distance transport and 58 grams in local and regional transport. Trains have a high capacity and can transport a large number of passengers.

With trains running at full capacity, it can therefore be assumed that CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer will be further reduced, as the emissions generated can be distributed among more passengers. In addition, rail offers the possibility of transporting goods by rail, which enables efficient use of transportation space. In general, one can speak of reduced traffic congestion, as the use of rail contributes to keeping roads and highways emptier. By shifting traffic from road to rail, congestion and traffic bottlenecks are reduced, leading to an overall more efficient use of the transport network.

The rail industry also relies on continuous and innovative technologies to make rail operations more environmentally friendly. This includes not only improving direct train technology, but also optimizing infrastructure and promoting sustainable operations for sustainable travel.

The main energy source of a train is electricity, which can come from various sources, including renewable energy. Electrically powered trains do not produce any direct CO2 emissions during operation. However, this depends on which energy mix of electricity is used. An electricity mix from renewable energy sources allows for sustainable mobility, while conventional fossil fuel-based electricity and heating sources cannot be used to generate environmentally friendly electricity. The rail industry is working on increasing the proportion of renewable energies in the power supply for trains. Emissions can be further reduced by using solar energy, wind power or other renewable energy sources.

Another major advantage of rail transportation is the possibility of using modern technologies that increase environmental friendliness, such as brake energy recovery. The engines of the trains serve as generators. This converts the kinetic braking energy directly into electrical energy, which flows into the overhead lines of the trains. The resulting electricity can then be used by other trains or to power stations.

In addition, innovative approaches such as hydrogen trains are being researched in order to further minimize the environmental impact. At the moment, trains are already a good option for sustainable mobility, especially in long-distance transportation.

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Sustainable mobility on the road - the coach

Coaches and long-distance buses are currently the most environmentally friendly option for sustainable travel in Germany. They allow travelers to choose environmentally friendly options and reduce the use of private transport. According to the Bundesverband Deutscher Omnibusunternehmen e. V., coaches emit around 29 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer and long-distance buses around 23 grams per passenger kilometer (as of 2020). The high passenger capacity also makes it possible to spread the CO2 emissions over several passengers. By bundling traffic into one bus, the roads are less congested and traffic emissions per person are reduced. This means that coaches and long-distance buses generate the lowest amount of CO2 emissions.

These vehicles are also equipped with efficient engines and meet strict emissions standards to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. The use of such technologies and exhaust aftertreatment systems further minimizes the environmental impact.

Coaches and especially long-distance coaches are generally considered to be fuel-efficient. However, fuel consumption depends on various factors, such as the type of vehicle, load, route and driving style. An anticipatory driving style, which includes smooth acceleration and braking, can reduce fuel consumption. Regular maintenance, including. Checking tire pressure and air filters can also help improve efficiency.

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Coaches and long-distance buses in Germany are currently the most environmentally friendly travel option, thanks to their low CO2 emissions, efficiency and the possibility of using alternative fuels and advanced technologies such as electric and hydrogen drives.

Low CO2 emissions & efficient technologies

Instead of conventional diesel, bus companies can use alternative fuels for sustainable travel that are obtained from renewable sources, such as bio-diesel or synthetic fuels. These fuels often have lower CO2 emissions and therefore help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The use of electric or hybrid buses is also a more environmentally friendly way to further reduce the carbon footprint of bus travel. Electric and hybrid buses produce no direct emissions during operation. However, as with the electric bus, there is the possibility that the electricity mix used is not renewable but fossil fuels.

The expansion of the charging infrastructure and the use of renewable energies in the electricity mix are crucial to ensure the sustainable electrification of bus operations. Hydrogen buses produce no harmful emissions - water in gaseous form is the only substance released. If a hydrogen filling station is available, the coach or long-distance bus can be refueled within a very short time, similar to refueling with conventional gasoline. The infrastructure network is currently inadequate and requires investment. The cost of purchasing a hydrogen-powered coachor long-distance bus is more expensive than conventional electric buses. This is due to limited production and the use of advanced technologies such as fuel cells. Despite the challenges, hydrogen buses offer a promising solution for environmentally friendly transportation.

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