Trains help cut CO2

Rail freight's greater energy efficiency means that it will be increasingly important in a world where climate protection is becoming more relevant and the cost of energy is rising. This is because rail freight, which is largely electrified, is the only mode of transport that will not be dependent on oil in the coming decades. On top of that, damage to the environment per unit of transported goods is a fraction of that caused by road freight.

In Germany for example, rail freight's CO₂ record is over four times better than that of road transport. In other EU countries where renewable energy form a greater share of total electricity consumption, rail freight's lead is even bigger. In Austria, freight transport by heavy goods vehicle causes 16 times more CO₂ emissions than rail transport.

Quite clearly, the renaissance of rail freight is just beginning. If transport policies are carefully selected, a market share of 25 percent in Europe for rail freight transport by2025 is a realistic target. But this development towards more freight on the railway is what the road transport lobby is seeking to prevent by the introduction of mega trucks.