Low-emission fleet

We analyse our impact on the natural environment. Each year we set more ambitious goals. We are also investing in modern fleet that is more environmentally friendly.

Care for the environment is part of Raben Group strategy, hence the many innovations we have been implementing in transport in recent years. They allow for reduction of the emissions of particulates and CO2 to the atmosphere per pallet of transported goods through a more optimal use of the cargo space, and consequently reduction in the number of transports and trucks on the road:

Since 2016 we have been testing gas-powered vehicles – both on short routes and in long-distance transport. As a result, in Germany, our fleet has been equipped with four LNG truck tractors, and since 2018, 8 CNG-powered trucks have been operating in Poland on regular basis. These are medium-duty vehicles (about 10 pallets), delivering domestic shipments within a radius of 150 km from the depot.
The first thing that can be named is double deck trailers. Raben Group has been investing in them for several years now and by the end of 2019 it had almost 600 units. They allow for increasing the payload of a standard semi-trailer from 30 pallets to 60 (they are stacked), however, this solution requires proper cooperation and commitment on the part of customers to properly prepare pallets for shipment. Despite this, we run processes in which the payload is increased to about 140%, which means 20% less emissions per one pallet of goods. On average, in 2019 payload was increased to the level of 124% (increase by 2% compared to 2018) on routes between Raben Group terminals.
Raben is also regularly increasing the share of swap body BDF containers, gradually replacing traditional, large semi-trailers. Swap bodies function as the so-called road train, i.e. a tractor with two smaller trailers on which these containers are located. This increases the flexibility of transport and allows for transporting more pallets at once: the trailer is 33 pallet spaces, and one BDF container is a total of 36 such places – also a double deck – so the set can have up to 72 pallets in one transport. This solution not only provides a lower emission factor per pallet because there is one vehicle instead of four on the road, but it also helps to reduce empty runs. For example: one container is detached and left for unloading in point A and the other one goes further to point B filled. Thanks to this, you can avoid half empty, standard semi-trailers, and save time for unloading and loading.
In countries where law allows it (e.g. in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Germany), Raben Group also uses a road train in the “Jumbo” version, also knows as the LHV. It consists of a large tractor that pulls two swap body containers and a traditional double deck semi-trailer behind it. The payload of such a vehicle increases up to 102 EUR-pallets. It is a truly cost-saving solution for regular routes – for example, on one route in the Czech Republic, it allows for reducing CO2 emissions by 200 tons per year.
Another significant improvement is CityLiner type trailers that allow for loading 27 pallets. Due to only two axes and a resulting turn capacity, they can freely enter urban areas, with restricted traffic, available so far only for vehicles with a maximum average load capacity of up to 15 pallets. Here, it is also possible to reduce emissions per pallet of goods, as well as the number of trucks moving in urban agglomerations.
We also make sure that our own fleet complies with the highest environmental standards.

The share of the means of transport with EURO 5 and EURO 6 emission standard amounted to 60% (increase by over 8% year-on-year) of the total number of vehicles available for Raben Group in Poland. Already 100% of our own means of transport complied with the EURO 6 standard.

We set ourselves and our suppliers ambitious goals to eliminate vehicles with standards below EURO 5 and 6 in Poland by 2025.

We motivate the carriers who cooperate with us to follow suit. We offer them attractive lease plans so that in the future they can contribute to the development of low-emission fleet of Raben Group. The EURO standard is the main criterion for the environmental assessment of our subcontractors. Every transport company providing services on behalf of Raben Group is subject to the assessment. We also measure fuel consumptions and CO2 emissions.