98.5 Percent Biomethane – Germany’s LNG Trucks Refuel Almost Entirely Climate-Neutral

• In 2025, 98.5 percent of LNG sales at German filling stations consisted of Bio-LNG.
• Despite available technology and existing infrastructure, insufficient political and regulatory frameworks are slowing further market ramp-up of renewable fuels.
• Kehler: “Bio-LNG shows that we do not have to wait for tomorrow’s solutions to reduce emissions in the transport sector. Reliable framework conditions would further accelerate its expansion.”

Gas-powered vehicles continue to play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector – particularly in road freight transport. New figures show that last year, German filling stations supplied almost exclusively Bio-LNG, i.e., liquefied biomethane. As a result, vehicles are operating in an almost climate-neutral manner.

The use of Bio-LNG has become firmly established in heavy-duty transport and demonstrates that renewable fuels are already widely available today. In 2025, a total of 166,513 tonnes of LNG were sold at German LNG filling stations (2024: 176,814 tonnes). Of this, 98.5 percent was biomethane. The German Environment Agency estimates that the use of biomethane reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by around two million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024.

This development is supported by a high-performance infrastructure. More than 199 LNG filling stations are now available across Germany, enabling the use of LNG and Bio-LNG in both national and cross-border heavy-duty transport. A key prerequisite for climate-friendly logistics is therefore already in place – the next step is to consistently utilize and further develop this infrastructure.

“Bio-LNG shows that we do not have to wait for tomorrow’s solutions to effectively reduce emissions in the transport sector,” says Dr. Timm Kehler, CEO of the association Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft. “The fuel is available, the vehicles are on the road, and the refueling infrastructure is in place. What is missing are reliable political framework conditions that provide long-term certainty for this climate-friendly fuel and enable its further expansion.”

Despite the high share of Bio-LNG, total LNG sales at German filling stations have stagnated over the past four years. To fully unlock the existing climate protection potential, greater political commitment is required. Currently, limited planning security, a long-delayed reform of the GHG quota regime, and the lack of consideration of Bio-LNG in the truck toll system are hindering investment in vehicles and infrastructure.

As part of the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), the further development of the GHG quota must be designed in a technology-neutral manner. Only if renewable gaseous fuels such as Bio-LNG are credited in a reliable and ambitious way can the emission reductions already achieved in heavy-duty transport be fully recognized and investments secured in the long term.

Beyond road freight transport, LNG also offers significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In shipping, LNG-based fuels can significantly lower both CO₂ and air pollutant emissions compared to conventional marine fuels. LNG is therefore already making an important contribution to defossilizing the maritime economy, particularly in coastal and inland shipping as well as in international transport. To further unlock this potential, LNG – and prospectively Bio-LNG – should be more strongly integrated into maritime climate strategies and regulatory frameworks.