The evolutionary development of green transport

Photo by: Wikimedia Commons

On the second day of the “Climate Dialogues” forum, October 19, Semyon Kornilov, Deputy Director for Power Engineering of the Hydrogen Technology Department of PJSC “KAMAZ” Scientific and Technical Centre made a presentation in the Presidential Hall of the International Multimedia Press Centre of MIA “Russia Today”. Kornilov spoke about the evolution of green transport development using the example of KAMAZ products.

KAMAZ has been manufacturing diesel vehicles and engines since 1976. At present, the product catalogue of the plant is replenished with a number of “green” transport items: buses, electric buses and water buses (under NEFAZ brand).

Semyon Kornilov said that electric and gas-powered vehicles are priority lines in the KAMAZ’s management for development of “green” vehicles. Kornilov noticed that Volvo Motor Works was one of the first companies in Russia to introduce gas as a motor fuel. The choice of NGV fuel was not accidental: in Russia gas is much cheaper than diesel fuel, moreover, it is more adapted to be used in various climatic conditions. The problem faced by Volvo, and now many Russian companies interested in promoting this fuel, is the lack of necessary infrastructure — above all special filling stations.

KAMAZ’s management is not yet considering the option of developing hydrogen vehicles as green transport, despite the fact that the plant already has the NEFAZ project. The company plans to develop hybrid hydrogen-diesel vehicles. Kornilov noted that there is a strong barrier to the development of hydrogen transport in Russia in the form of a lack of specialists and the necessary infrastructure. However, KAMAZ cooperates with universities and invites young specialists for training of transportation personnel.

At the moment, the concept of development of “green” transport of KAMAZ lies mainly in electrification of passenger heavy and light vehicles. Right now, the infrastructure for this type of transport is better developed than, for example, for hydrogen. Nevertheless, the leader in the use of electric transport remains Moscow, where more than a thousand electric buses manufactured by KAMAZ have been commissioned. But many cities do not yet have special charging stations.

Other panellists, like Semyon Kornilov, voiced the problem of lack of infrastructure for the widespread development of green transport and concluded that to create it, investment in this area must be significantly developed, which depends largely on the awareness of investors and society about climate change.

Cover photo: Press Service of the Mayor and Government of Moscow