Fossil fuels still play a major role in powering the transportation sector, including trains. While electric-powered trains are now in use, their implementation remains limited to certain urban areas.
However, beyond these fuel types, there’s a promising alternative energy source that could offer a better solution: LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). Compared to traditional fossil fuels, LNG presents a more cost-efficient fuel option and produces significantly lower exhaust emissions.
Curious about how LNG could help drive a more eco-friendly transportation system? Let’s explore its full potential in this article.
What Types of Fuel Are Used for Trains?
Trains around the world use various types of fuel for operation. These include coal, petroleum, electricity, natural gas, and even renewable energy sources.
1. Coal
Steam locomotives still use coal as the main fuel to generate steam and power the train. However, today, coal-powered trains are rare and typically serve special purposes, such as tourism or transporting mining products in specific regions.
Read More: The Ideal Coal Replacements
2. Petroleum
In the early 1900s, petroleum began replacing wood as the fuel for steam trains. As the steam era ended, petroleum was used to power diesel locomotives, which were more efficient and could travel longer distances.
In Indonesia, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) still uses B35 biodiesel for its diesel locomotives. However, with advancements in transportation technology, the use of petroleum-based fuels is gradually declining.
3. Electricity
Electricity powers urban rail systems like commuter lines and MRTs, which depend on rapid transit networks. But electric trains come with their own challenges, such as the need for dedicated infrastructure like electrified rail tracks.
As a result, electric trains are generally limited to areas with existing electrification, making them less flexible for broader railway operations.
Read More: The Crucial Role of Alternative Electricity Sources in Shaping Our Future
4. Renewable Energy
In several developed countries, train propulsion has begun shifting toward renewable energy, such as wind and solar power. Though the application of these technologies remains limited, they demonstrate that the transport sector can actively contribute to the clean energy transition.
Solar and wind energy offer several unbeatable advantages: they are abundant, environmentally friendly, and emit no pollution during use.
5. Natural Gas
The use of natural gas in transportation is still in its early stages and mostly limited to pilot projects. However, it’s seen as a promising energy source thanks to its lower emissions and environmental benefits compared to coal and petroleum.
One of the most viable forms of natural gas for train fuel is LNG. LNG offers greater fuel efficiency and allows trains to travel longer distances on a single fill-up.
Read More: Top Benefits of Natural Gas, More Than Just Low Emissions
Why LNG Is a Strong Contender for Train Fuel?
There’s no denying the environmental downsides of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, especially in the form of greenhouse gas emissions that harm the planet.
LNG emerges as a cleaner alternative fuel, aligning with the global push for greener, more sustainable transportation.
According to BPH Migas, countries like the USA, Canada, Russia, and India have already adopted LNG as a train fuel. The agency also stated that Indonesia has a strong opportunity to become the fifth country in the world to integrate LNG into its national railway system.
LNG doesn’t just reduce carbon and particulate emissions, it also brings cost savings on operations and offers improved engine performance compared to diesel fuel.
Read More: Is Transportation Truly the Biggest Energy Consumer?
Indonesia’s LNG-Powered Train Pilot Project
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has shown strong interest in developing LNG-powered trains. This initiative supports both energy efficiency goals and the broader green energy transition in the transport sector.
According to CNBC Indonesia, the government has already initiated a pilot project to convert diesel fuel to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) on the Jakarta–Surabaya railway route, in collaboration with KAI.
This pilot marks an important first step in proving that LNG can serve as a cleaner, more sustainable alternative for transportation.If the conversion proves successful and is implemented on a broader scale, LNG-powered trains could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation and supporting Indonesia’s carbon reduction targets.
References:
- BPH Migas. Accessed 2025. Percepat Implementasi Penggunaan LNG untuk Bahan Bakar Kereta Api
- Atonergi. Accessed 2025. Kendaraan Listrik vs Kendaraan Subsidi BBM
- CNBC Indonesia. Accessed 2025. Wiih! Kereta Api Mulai Diuji Coba Pakai LNG
- Dunia Energi. Accessed 2025. Ini Potensi Efisiensi Penggunaan LNG pada Kereta Pembangkit KAI
