To say which model is currently the hottest in the heavy-duty truck market, it may be LNG gas heavy-duty trucks.

According to relevant data, from January to July 2023, the cumulative sales of heavy-duty trucks were 361900 units, an increase of 25.2% compared to 289000 units in the same period last year. Among them, the cumulative sales of gas heavy-duty trucks were 63800 units, a sharp increase of 161% compared to 24400 units in the same period last year. In the off-season of heavy truck sales in July and August of previous years, the gas vehicle market remained hot, even forming a substitute advantage for gasoline vehicles.

LNG is a liquid form that cools natural gas to about -162 ° C. Its energy density is relatively high, its combustion performance is good, and its calorific value is high. Therefore, it releases more sufficient power and has a longer range. At present, the storage tank capacity of mainstream LNG heavy-duty truck models is 1350L, with a total LNG filling capacity of 512kg and a range of about 1500 kilometers.

At the same time, the LNG refueling time is short, usually 5 to 10 minutes to top up, which is more suitable for car owners who require long-distance transportation and high transportation efficiency. In addition, the large storage capacity and small volume of steel cylinders in LNG gas vehicles are more conducive to reducing the vehicle's weight. Installing them on the frame can also lower the vehicle's center of gravity and improve its safety performance.

However, the main reason why LNG heavy-duty trucks can stand out from many car models is also due to gas prices. Since the beginning of the year, gas prices have been around 2.5 yuan for a while, and recently remained around 4.5 yuan. Compared to diesel, the price advantage of over 8 yuan is very obvious.

At the same time, the profitability of LNG gas vehicles is also another major driving force behind their hot sales. Industry platforms have made a comparison. If the diesel price is 7.4 yuan/L and the LNG price is 7.3 yuan/kg, the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers of a 49t heavy truck is about 33L, and the LNG consumption per 100 kilometers is about 33kg. Simply understood, 1L diesel ≈ 1kg LNG. Currently, the operating mileage of the vast majority of heavy trucks is about 200000 kilometers/year. From this, it can be calculated that the fuel cost per kilometer of diesel heavy trucks is about 2.44 yuan, and the fuel cost per kilometer of LNG heavy trucks is about 1.4 yuan, The price difference of 200000 kilometers per year is approximately 200000 yuan.

This is only a difference in fuel cost. If the cost of purchasing a car, self weight, and vehicle urea inputs are included, the following table shows:

By contrast, such high profitability is truly impressive. This is also an important reason why many car owners choose to change cars.

It is worth noting that although these advantages are attractive, there are certain risks, such as fluctuations in LNG gas prices.

In addition to vehicle use, LNG also has a large amount of industrial use, belonging to the nature of peak shaving commodities. In other words, LNG prices fluctuate greatly, making it difficult to control the operating costs of LNG heavy trucks. Once LNG prices rise, the profitability of LNG gas heavy trucks will be affected.

For example, the "coldest winter" of the gas heavy-duty truck from 2017 to 2018 was initially due to the lower LNG gas prices, which led to many car owners flocking to hand gas vehicles. However, in the second half of 2017, gas prices skyrocketed, even exceeding the 10 yuan mark, directly causing a large number of natural gas heavy-duty trucks to shut down, and distributors to shut down on a large scale. In other words, once the price of LNG gas rises, LNG heavy-duty trucks may be phased out by other models in the market.

Although the sales of LNG heavy-duty trucks are currently good, car owners still need to think carefully about the market situation in the freight market. After all, the good sales of LNG vehicles are not commensurate with the prosperity of the freight market. When many car owners follow the trend and purchase gas heavy-duty trucks, will there be a situation of overcapacity and out of stock? When the number of gas heavy-duty trucks is large enough to affect transportation prices, will freight rates further decrease?

So, it is not impossible to obtain LNG gas heavy-duty trucks, but it is necessary to take a comprehensive consideration and not only see the advantages but also the disadvantages. Darong Car Bridge recommends that all car owners analyze the investment and benefits based on their own usage conditions, operating characteristics, supply situation, distribution of gas stations in the operating area, monthly car loan supply plan, etc. If it is suitable, you can obtain it, but if it is not suitable, do not follow the trend.