DB claims first “carbon-free” freight customer

Germany’s Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced auto manufacturer Audi has become its first carbon-free freight customer. Subsidiary DB Schenker will transport some 150,000 vehicles a year along a route between Ingolstadt and Emden, using electricity generated by renewable sources, DB says.

DB says 59 companies already are involved in its effort toreduce carbon emissions, which also involves the company’s passenger rail operations. DB is also negotiating with other corporate customers, according to a DB spokeswoman.

“We’re confident that with Audi being the first customer for this scheme, there will be a positive signal effect in the market,” the DB spokeswoman said in an interview. “The fact is private customers are paying attention to sustainability, and that will certainly lead to reduced CO2 output being a competitive advantage.”

When a DB customer chooses to go green, they pay a premium price to ensure the energy they consume is replaced with electricity from renewable sources.

At least one German environmental group says DB’s latest announcement is mostly a public relations ploy, allowing DB to avoid a full commitment to alternative energy sources.

But a DB spokesman says 18.5% of the company’s electricity use is generated from renewable energy sources, and that DB already relies more on renewable energy than the nation’s consumer grid does. DB also has set a goal of 30% renewable energy by 2020.