Well-to-wheels emissions of garbage trucks fuelled with compressed biomethane

Abstract

The transition to biofuels, particularly biomethane from waste biomass, is seen as a positive step towards decarbonising transport. Environmental benefits are enhanced by capturing and using or sequestering off-gas CO₂ from biogas upgrading, and by developing interconnected systems of waste collection, biomethane production, pressurization, and vehicle refuelling. This well-to-wheels analysis focuses on garbage trucks to evaluate various production and management scenarios with different carbon capture strategies, identifying the best combination of feedstock and technology. The use of diverse feedstocks for anaerobic digestion and the geographical spread of biogas plants in Italy, together with its high production potential, provide a solid basis for analysis. Results indicate GHG emission reductions for compressed biomethane ranging from 55 % to 75 % compared to compressed natural gas, potentially higher with certain feedstocks and carbon capture technologies, which can completely counter climate change impacts from anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading.