Green Transport in Europe

On our lanes, intermodal transport emits up to 65% less CO₂ per tonne of cargo than the same shipment by road. We calculate conservatively: both scenarios run as full truckloads, and the intermodal figure includes 150 km of road at each end. All figures are CO₂e per tonne of cargo on a well-to-wheel basis.

Sustainable freight transport should be measurable. That is why we publish not just the results but the inputs and sources, so customers and auditors can check them.

CO₂ per Tonne on Our Lanes

Results of our October 2026 calculation for five lanes, all-road against intermodal:

The saving is largest where the main leg runs by electric rail, and smallest where a long ferry crossing is part of the chain. On Baltics ⇄ Italy, the ferry leg Liepāja–Travemünde brings the saving down to 17%.

How to read the figures

Each row compares the same shipment between the same two regions. The all-road column assumes a direct truck route with no detour; the intermodal column covers the whole chain — truck to the terminal, train, ferry where the route uses one, and truck to the consignee. Because both sides are calculated as full loads, the saving does not come from comparing a full train with a half-empty truck. Real shipments differ: a longer first mile or a partly loaded unit changes the result, so the estimate for your lane is calculated separately.

Methodology

We publish the inputs and sources so customers and auditors can check the figures.

• Scope and unit. Calculated in October 2026, per tonne of cargo, as CO₂e on a well-to-wheel basis. Both scenarios are full truckloads.
• All-road. A 40 t truck carrying 24 t of cargo on the direct route between the same regions — no extra kilometres added.
• Intermodal. 28 t of cargo per unit (44 t gross weight in combined transport). Includes 150 km first mile and 150 km last mile by 44 t truck.
• Road and rail. EcoTransIT World (ISO 14083 / GLEC methodology). Trucks: Euro 6 diesel, 20% empty runs. Rail: electric traction, intermodal train.
• Ferries. The operators' own emission factors (Stena Line, TT-Line), based on EU MRV data for cargo plus 7 t trailer tare, with 20% added for upstream fuel to reach well-to-wheel. MRV covers CO₂ only, so methane slip from LNG-fuelled vessels is not included.
• Status. Lane estimates, not shipment-specific reports.

For your own shipments the result depends on the actual route, load and first- and last-mile distances — which is why we calculate it for your lane with every intermodal quote.

Why Intermodal Cuts CO₂

Electric rail on the long leg

The long main leg runs by train with electric traction. On our Italy lanes the train carries the trailer from Verona to Northern Germany, or to the ferry ports for Sweden — so the longest part of the trip does not depend on a diesel truck.

Road only at both ends

Trucks handle the first and last mile only; in our calculation that is 150 km at each end. The distance in between is covered by rail and, where the route needs it, by ferry. More on how the chain works in our guide to combined transport in Europe.

More cargo per unit

An intermodal unit carries 28 t of cargo, against 24 t on a standard 40 t truck. More cargo per unit means fewer units for the same volume, and lower emissions per tonne.

Where the remaining emissions are

To be clear about the limits: on our lanes the first and last mile by road is the largest remaining share of intermodal emissions. That is why we are testing an electric truck for first- and last-mile legs in Verona with our partner DORNA — read about the electric truck pilot. Ferry legs reduce the gain on Baltic routes: Baltics ⇄ Italy saves 17% per tonne, against 58–66% on our lanes between Italy, Germany and Sweden.

For Shippers: Scope 3 Transport Emissions

Freight you buy shows up in your Scope 3 emissions — under the GHG Protocol, Category 4 (upstream) or Category 9 (downstream transportation and distribution). Two EU developments shape how these figures are requested and calculated.

CSRD after Omnibus I

Directive (EU) 2026/470 (“Omnibus I”), in force since 18 March 2026, limits mandatory CSRD reporting to companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than €450 million net turnover. Many shippers are now outside the mandatory scope — but large customers that remain in scope still request transport data from their suppliers.

CountEmissionsEU

Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 (“CountEmissionsEU”) entered into force on 1 June 2026; its main obligations apply from 2 December 2030. It does not oblige anyone to publish transport emissions. When transport emissions are calculated and disclosed, it sets a common method based on EN ISO 14083.

This is a factual summary, not legal advice. Please check how the rules apply to your company with your own advisers.

What We Offer

• A CO₂ estimate for your lane with every intermodal quote — all-road against intermodal, per tonne of cargo.
• The assumptions behind it, documented as on this page, so you or your auditor can check the inputs.
• An honest comparison: if road is the better option for your lane, we tell you.

Our figures are estimates calculated with EcoTransIT World (ISO 14083 / GLEC methodology) — a documented basis for your Scope 3 reporting.

Our Standards

Our Code of Conduct for Suppliers and our Sustainability Requirements for logistics partners set the environmental and social standards for our supply chain. Both are published on our Documents & Compliance page. An EcoVadis assessment of EFFIMODAL is in progress.

FAQ: Green Transport