1. Road Transport and Oil in the IRU
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

2. Road Transport and Oil in the IRU
IRU has constitutional obligation as per Art. 2 to act in the interest of society as whole
Road transport is a vital production tool
Road transport is 100% dependent on oil
Our duty is to ensure that our children’s children can benefit from black gold through a sustainable energy policy.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

3. Road transport is a vital production tool in a global economy
What does it take to have a cup of coffee in a café?
The combined efforts of
29 companies in 18 countries
If to have one cup of coffee at an affordable price, it takes 29 companies in 18 countries, you imagine how much more it would cost if all items came from the country where the end product is consumed?
If we know that it takes 10’000 suppliers, which in turn have their own suppliers, to create an affordable motor car, you can imagine the vital role of road transport in a liberalised economy.
Therefore, to stay in business, we need to see globalisation as an opportunity and not as a threat. To do so, we need to develop together the entrepreneurial spirit currently lacking in Europe.
There is transport between each. Most of it is by road. Road Transport = Production Tool!
Source: IRU
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

4. Road transport is 100% dependent on oil
Since the first oil crisis in 1973, the IRU has been preoccupied - for our children’s children - with developing a sustainable energy policy, because road transport is 100% dependent on oil.
Opposite: cover of IRU Study, 1980
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

5. Road transport is 100% dependent on oil - Energy Characteristics of Various Fuels
Weight & volume of fuel tank for same amount of energy
Weight coefficient
Volume coefficient
Petrol / gasoline 1
Diesel Fuel
Propane (C3H3) 8
1.9
Butane (C4H10)
1.4
Hydrogen (H2) - Gas at 200 BAR 25 22
Hydrogen (H2) - Liquid at -253°C 4
5.8
Metal Hydride - Magnesium 5
3.2
Metal Hydride - Vanadium 10
1.7
Metal Hydride - Iron-Titanium 20
Methanol (CH3OH)
2.2
2.1
Ethanol (C2H5OH)
1.62
1.53
Lead Battery 70 12
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

6. Road transport is 100% dependent on oil - Need to diversify the energy market
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

7. 5 mio tonnes of oil are used for heating (stationary use).*
Road transport is 100% dependent on oil - A Swiss example on how NOT to do it
5 mio tonnes of oil are used for heating (stationary use).*
1.5 mio tonnes of oil are used for diesel fuel (mobile use).*
Only 8% of diesel fuel is used for trucking!
Because we are
100% dependent on oil
We pay the most!
*Source : Union Pétrolier Suisse 2005
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

8. Road transport is 100% dependent on oil - Long term solutions are needed!
Oil is black gold, so…
Stabilise the market.
Diversify energy sources where alternatives exist, such as heating, electricity, steel, cement, paper production (50% CO2); and reserve oil for truck transportation, for which no alternative energy sources exist.
To obtain this goal…
Governments should introduce taxes where viable alternatives exist and reduce taxes where there are no viable alternatives.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008

9. Thanks for your attention and your contributions.
Moderator:
Thanks for your attention and your contributions.
Please leave your business card with us.
Invitation for a drink.
© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2008