CNG should be ‘fuel of choice’ for freight vehicles

Located off the M6 motorway in Leyland, the fuel station has the capacity to serve up to 600 heavy goods vehicles and is the first such facility to be connected directly to the high-pressure gas network.

Independent analysis of the first 14-months of operation – commissioned by Cadent and undertaken by Element Energy – found that dedicated gas vehicles refuelling with biomethane at the station emitted 84 per cent less carbon dioxide “well-to-wheel” than equivalent diesel vehicles.

Even those refuelling with fossil fuel CNG would emit 15 per cent less CO2 than their diesel counterparts, according to the study.

The report also concluded there are major advantages to dispensing CNG through the high-pressure gas grid due to the reduced energy requirements for compressing the gas.  

The study found that station specific emissions were 79 per cent lower than from facilities using lower pressure pipes, whilst well-to-wheel emissions reductions were 6 per cent higher than those achieved by stations connected to the medium-pressure gas network.

Cadent director for network strategy David Parkin said: “This report proves there are significant environmental and economic benefits not just in using compressed natural gas, but in dispensing it from the high-pressure system.

“This is a credible option, available today, and our high-pressure network is ideally situated to support its growth, as in most cases our pipeline tracks the UK’s major motorways.”

CNG Fuels chief executive Philip Fjeld said: “Biomethane CNG is 35 to 40 per cent cheaper than diesel and attracting growing interest from fleet operators, bus companies and refuse collectors, who want to cut costs and reduce their carbon emissions.

“CNG stations can be built quickly and cost-effectively and we are developing a nationwide network to meet industry demand.”