Following Girteka’s order for 900 Mercedes-Benz Actros L ProCabin trucks, another major deal was announced at IAA Transportation. German carrier REINERT Logistics has ordered 500 gas-powered Volvo FH Aero trucks. On 24 September, Volvo Trucks Germany said the deal was the largest LNG truck order in the manufacturer’s history.
Deliveries are due to begin in 2027. Over the following two years, the new trucks will gradually replace older vehicles while also expanding the fleet. REINERT aims to operate 750 trucks of its own, although neither company has disclosed how many of the 500 Volvos will be additions and how many will replace existing vehicles. The value of the order was not disclosed.
A 50-truck trial came first
The large order was preceded by a real-world trial. According to Volvo, REINERT operated 50 gas-powered FH Aero trucks during 2025 and 2026. The experience gained in day-to-day operations, together with fuel-price trends, reportedly gave the carrier confidence to significantly expand its LNG fleet.
Source: Volvo Trucks
REINERT has used LNG-powered trucks since 2020. The possibility of using bio-LNG produced from locally available feedstocks was a key reason for the decision, according to company founder René Reinert.
We recognized early on that bio-LNG is the right solution for us.
Reinert made the comment at the contract signing in Hanover. He pointed to fuel made from manure, organic waste and other biogenic residues. In his view, these sources can help reduce reliance on long supply chains and external supplies. REINERT also valued its experience with Volvo trucks and the manufacturer’s service network.
For an order of this size, those considerations matter alongside the purchase price. Fuel costs, vehicle availability and maintenance all influence the economics of operating a truck day to day.
The companies have not provided specific figures for the 50 trucks already in service. No fuel-consumption data, cost-per-kilometre figures or comparison with diesel trucks has been published.
Bio-LNG dominates German LNG sales
REINERT’s decision comes as the fuel mix at German LNG stations has changed significantly.
According to industry association Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft, bio-LNG accounted for around 98.5% of LNG sold at German stations in 2025. Total LNG sales, however, fell from 176,814 tonnes in 2024 to 166,513 tonnes in 2025. A growing share of bio-LNG therefore does not mean that the overall LNG market also expanded.
Bio-LNG is produced from biomethane, which can be obtained from manure and organic residues, among other sources. The greenhouse-gas savings compared with diesel depend on how and where the fuel is produced, as well as on the calculation method used.
The high share of bio-LNG in German station sales also does not, by itself, show which fuel mix REINERT uses across its routes. Neither company has disclosed details of supply contracts, purchase prices or the planned fuelling strategy for the 500 new trucks.
Gas trucks still need a diesel ignition fuel
The Volvo FH Aero trucks ordered by REINERT use what Volvo calls the Gas Powered Diesel principle. LNG or bio-LNG provides most of the propulsion energy, while a small amount of diesel, biodiesel or HVO is used for ignition.
This means that the emissions profile depends not only on the gas being used, but also on the ignition fuel.
Volvo quotes a range of up to 1,000 kilometres on a single tank for its gas-powered heavy trucks. The actual distance depends on factors such as payload, route profile and fuel consumption.
REINERT has not said which routes the new trucks will serve. The company identifies regional and long-haul transport as their intended areas of operation.
A major fleet renewal decision
The 500 Volvos will not simply add 500 vehicles to REINERT’s fleet. Some will replace existing trucks, while the company aims to operate 750 vehicles of its own.
The order is therefore primarily a decision about the future composition of the fleet. After testing 50 vehicles, REINERT plans to use LNG on a much larger scale. For Volvo, the order is the largest for gas-powered trucks the company has received to date, according to the manufacturer’s own statement.
Whether the investment delivers the expected return will depend largely on bio-LNG prices, supply and operating costs throughout the trucks’ service life. The experience with the first 50 vehicles was sufficient for REINERT to commit to several hundred more.
