Category: Uncategorized

Amazon.com Inc has ordered hundreds of trucks that run on compressed natural gas as it tests ways to shift its U.S. fleet away from heavier polluting trucks, the company told Reuters on Friday.

The coronavirus pandemic caused delivery activity to surge in 2020, with truck volumes exceeding 2019 levels on average while passenger car traffic fell. But that increase in road activity means more pollution, as heavier-duty trucks emit higher levels of greenhouse gases than passenger vehicles.

Transportation companies are building their stable of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions. Much of the nation’s freight is delivered via medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which account for more than 20% of the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions even though they make up less than 5% of the road fleet, according to U.S. federal data.

“Amazon is excited about introducing new sustainable solutions for freight transportation and is working on testing a number of new vehicle types including electric, CNG and others,” the company said in a statement. Amazon has ordered more than 700 compressed natural gas class 6 and class 8 trucks so far, according to the company.

The online retailer’s sales rose 38 % in 2020; it plans to run a carbon neutral business by 2040. The engines, supplied by a joint venture between Cummins Inc and Vancouver-based Westport Fuel Systems Inc, are to be used for Amazon’s heavy duty trucks that run from warehouses to distribution centers. More than 1,000 engines that can operate on both renewable and non-renewable natural gas have been ordered by the supplier, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Natural gas emits approximately 27 % less carbon dioxide when burned compared with diesel fuel, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electric-powered motors are considered less viable for heavy-duty trucks than for the average passenger vehicle.

In 2019, Amazon ordered 100,000 electric vans from startup Rivian Automotive LLC. The first of those vans, to be used for last-mile delivery to customers, are to be delivered this year. The company also ordered 1,800 electric vans from Mercedes-Benz for its European delivery fleet.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2A52ML

Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG),  making it one of the most environmentally friendly means of transport. It was built in Turku, Finland, and will embark on its first official voyage from Florida to the Caribbean on April 24, 2021.

Although it did not welcome cruises in 2020, shipping companies are still ahead in terms of offering clients more luxury and a more exciting program. The Mardi Gras is the latest addition to Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet of $ 1 billion. Originally, the waters of the seas and oceans were supposed to navigate as early as 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, this date has shifted significantly and the first voyage is not scheduled until April 2021.

The dimensions of Mardi Gras are truly impressive. The company’s largest vessel has a displacement of 180,000 tons and measures 340 meters in length. The crew of 1,745 people will take care of almost 6 and a half thousand passengers when fully occupied. There are more than 2,600 cabins and 180 apartments in eleven different categories.

There are six themed zones for entertainment. The heart of the ship is a glass atrium across three decks overlooking the ocean and several cafes and bars where various entertainment shows take place in the evening. The French Quarter with its New Orleans atmosphere offers several bars and restaurants, and above all a traditional jazz club with live music. In La Piazza, Mardi Gras pays homage to Italian cuisine, and the Summer Disembarkation area will be sought after especially by lovers of draft beer and grilled delicacies. ) and even a complete novelty on ocean liners – the BOLT roller coaster with a length of almost 250 meters and a speed of more than 60 kilometers per hour.

However, the experience of adrenaline driving with a view of the sea is not the only one – on this track, riders can adjust their speed and compete with each other.

Source: https://dromedar.zoznam.sk/cl/1000032/2026827/Gigant-za-miliardu –Latest-cruise-boat-me-on-board-mountain-track-and-zone-only-for-adults