Carbon neutral manure to power HGVs in ‘UK first’

CNG Fuels, which provides public access to HGV refuelling stations, will start offering manure to fuel the vehicles.

The company currently sources biomethane from food waste but it is in the process of securing supplies of biomethane from manure to create a fuel that they claim will be 100% carbon neutral.

They expect to start offering the fuel from 2021 at the same price as the renewable biomethane fuel it currently supplies.

According to the company, using methane as an HGV fuel prevents it from going into the atmosphere and reduces overall emissions.

The company is also developing a nationwide network of public access HGV refuelling stations on major routes to reach fleet operators all over the UK.

In spring 2020 it expects to have six refuelling stations in operation, serving major trunk roads and cities, and capable of refuelling up to 3,000 HGVs a day.

Stations are currently supplied with biomethane via the existing gas grid, compressing it into fuel at the point of delivery.

Philip Fjeld, CEO of CNG Fuels, said: ‘We want to help decarbonise freight transport and enable fleet operators to meet Net Zero targets now, supporting the UK’s climate targets.

‘Renewable biomethane sourced from manure is currently the best low-carbon solution for HGVs, but we want to be ready to support our customers when other technologies are commercially viable for freight transport.’

Andy Eastlake, managing director of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, added: ‘With all the focus on electrification, the low carbon combustion fuels might be overlooked. But it is vital to remember that Net Zero can be delivered in a number of ways.

‘The LowCVP welcome genuinely zero (or even negative) carbon solutions which exist here and now and we must accelerate the uptake of these fuel solutions, particularly in the more challenging operations such as heavy road vehicles where they can best displace fossil diesel.’

Photo Credit – www.matthowell.co.uk