Harrison Thomas, Gasrec, UK, looks at how bio-LNG and bio-CNG are driving the transition towards cleaner, greener transport.
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ith demand for alternative fuels among the transport sector skyrocketing, LNG-powered trucks have a huge part to play in helping operators meet their sustainability objectives. The technology has developed in leaps and bounds in recent times but there are still challenges to overcome to help fleets transition away from diesel. A recent report from industry trade body, the Gas Vehicle Network, showed a 78% increase in the sales of gas as a transport fuel during 2020. A significant spike in demand indeed, but the figures were of little surprise to anyone within the sector. Biomethane-powered trucks have been proven to return CO2 savings as high as 95%, as well as delivering a significant 99% reduction in particulate matter and 90% in NO2 emissions compared to their Euro VI diesel counterparts. These can be considered attractive statistics for businesses looking for a cleaner, more sustainable operation. While both bio-LNG and bio-CNG share these benefits, it is the former that is making the bigger impact, particularly for long haul operations. LNG is denser, therefore more energy
can be achieved on a vehicle than with CNG. One unit of liquid gas energy takes up three times less volume than one unit of compressed gas energy. With long-distance, heavy-duty trucks powered by electric still years away from being rolled out in any significant numbers, more and more operators are starting to accept the fact that bio-LNG currently offers the best route forward when it comes to cutting tailpipe emissions – which it will continue to do so for some significant time yet. This is a message that Gasrec – one of the UK’s leading fuel providers for gas-powered commercial vehicles – has been pushing for a number of years. The company supplies, builds, and operates bio-LNG and bio-CNG refuelling stations across the UK working with major blue-chip companies such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, and B&Q.
Picking up the pace As take-up for the technology soars, Gasrec projects that one-third of the UK’s 44 t heavy truck market will have transitioned to natural gas within the next seven years, with approximately 39b000 gas-powered HGVs on UK roads.
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