Scania, Sweden embark on Dar es Salaam-Dodoma trip to promote clean energy
Ambassador of Sweden to Tanzania, Ms Charlotta-Ozaki Macias (right) briefs reporters during the launch of Clean Transport Tour in Dar es Salaam on Monday. Left is Scania Tanzania managing director, Mr Ali Dar. PHOTO | ALAWI MASARE.
What you need to know:
- Called “Clean Transport Tour,” the route involves travelling from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma using a Scania gas-powered lorry, which is able to drive about 800 kilometres before refuelling.
Dar es Salaam. Scania Tanzania, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, started a journey on Monday, October 2, 2023, to promote clean energy in the transportation sector.
Called “Clean Transport Tour,” the route involves travelling from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma using a Scania gas-powered lorry, which is able to drive about 800 kilometres before refuelling.
The tour-launching event was graced by the ambassador of Sweden to Tanzania, Ms Charlotta-Ozaki Macias, at the Vingunguti-based Scania offices.
“Together, we are setting in motion the wheels of progress towards a brighter future,’ she said, adding that the initiative aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and eco-friendly transport system in Tanzania.
“Our voyage will take us from the bustling city of Dar es Salaam to the heart of our nation, Dodoma,” she said.
The Clean Transport Tour is also part of commemorating 60 years of development cooperation between the two countries in sectors like education, agriculture, research, industrialisation, and energy, among others.
“Sweden, renowned globally for advocating environmentally friendly and sustainable transport solutions, brings its wealth of experience and knowledge to Tanzania. At the heart of our endeavour lies a gas-powered truck, harnessing the potential of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a locally available, attractive fuel alternative,” said the ambassador.
Scania managing director, Mr Ali Dar, said the gas-powered truck, which can be converted to biogas, reduces emissions by 90 percent and saves about 12 percent of fuel cost compared to diesel-powered lorry.
“We have sold one of the gas-powered trucks and there is increasing interest. For now, we are focusing much on awareness as we wait for the refuelling infrastructure to spread,” said Mr Dar.
He added that once the infrastructure is built, the company is ready to start mass sale of the gas-powered trucks.
Tanzania has CNG infrastructure, especially in Dar es Salaam, and plans are underway to establish more refuelling stations across the country.
