Commercial GreenFleet
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Cleaner fuels: the options for commercial vehicles Rebecca Kite, environmental policy manager at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), explores the options available for commercial-vehicle operators looking to adopt alternative fuels
Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) Electric vehicles emit 50 per cent less greenhouse gases than diesel, and as such, will be the fuel of choice for vans and LCVs in the foreseeable future. These vehicles are becoming increasingly popular across the board – one in every 12 new cars purchased in the UK is now electric – making them an essential tool in the fight to improve air
Written by Rebecca Kite, environmental policy manager, the Freight Transport Association (FTA)
With the government’s target to reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by 15 per cent by 2025, many businesses have started to review their options to see which emissionreduction strategies will work for them. For example, online supermarket Ocado has opened its first natural gas refuelling station, as part of a £3 million investment package to reduce the CO2 emissions of its fleet by 29 per cent annually. But for most businesses, changes will be on a smaller, more manageable scale. Rebecca Kite, environmental policy manager at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), explores the options available for businesses looking to adopt alternative fuels.
Secondly, electric vans are significantly more quality and tackle climate change. But there expensive to purchase than their standard fuelare still several barriers to overcome before based counterparts. But as these alternative we can expect to see widespread adoption. vehicles increase in popularity, FTA expects to Firstly, there are only 13,000 public charging see the price come down. Additionally, there is points available nationwide, representing much uncertainty over the life of the batteries a serious shortfall. While many operators and how they are disposed of once spent. will leave their vans at the depot to charge While many businesses may be attracted to overnight, with limited opportunities for dual-fuelled vehicles – perhaps as a bridge recharging there is the possibility that a towards investment in fully electric motors vehicle’s battery will not be enough to carry – the difficulty comes in proving which fuel out the required tasks. This range anxiety is being used while operating within a Clean prevents many businesses switching to electric Air Zone (CAZ). CAZs impose a charge on any vehicles. Furthermore, the prolonged ‘down vehicle entering an applicable city which does time’ required to recharge the battery may not not meet the highest environmental standards, be feasible. And while some van drivers may including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) take the vehicles home, many will not and vans, and will apply to have access to off road parking multiple cities across the UK. – again, making charging While To check whether a vehicle problematic. The back to biomet hane is CAZ-compliant, local depot charging model is has pro authorities will be using also dependent on grid v id ed a solution Automatic Number Plate capacity, and many has invo for some, it Recognition (ANPR). operators have already lved a s This will measure the found themselves u b amoun euro standard of the paying a heavy bill t of inve stantial stment diesel or petrol engine E to upgrade the grid. in v
ehicles infrastru and cture
Ocado’s natural gas refuelling station in Hatfield, designed and built by Gasrec
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