The Case for A Natural Gas Refuelling Network

With more and more freight companies and HGV drivers turning to natural gas, there is a growing need for a corresponding refuelling network. At the moment, the normal procedure is that drivers moving loads have to return to base to refuel. One could argue that although this does give the manager of the business more control over refuelling activity, it can be inconvenient for the driver who then has to plan their journeys more strategically. If the driver has a load on board, with other available loads waiting at the destination for onward travel, the driver may not be able to take the latter as they have to return to base to refuel.

Cost of a Private Refuelling Infrastructure

One of the biggest issues with setting up a private refuelling infrastructure for any company is the cost. It can cost close to £1 million to set up, but with only a small number of public refuelling locations close to major roads, it is currently a viable option. More companies are making arrangements with each other and allowing for refuelling at each other’s’ locations, just as they currently do with diesel refuelling points, making refuelling depots more readily available.

Loads carried by gas HGVs are becoming more attractive to potential clients and although the refuelling infrastructure is in its infancy, the long-term commercial reasons for switching this fuel are sound. For larger companies, the building of a private refuelling depot is more cost effective than for smaller companies, who may prefer to work with another company and share a fuel depot.

What is the Government Doing?

The government is also playing a role in encouraging the freight industry to switch to low carbon HGVs. In 2009 a white paper was produced on the UK’s Low Carbon Strategy, alongside a Carbon Reduction Strategy for Transport, with the aim to have all road transport decarbonised by 2050. After much research it was determined that switching to gas as a means of reducing carbon in commercial vehicles had the most potential. As a consequence, government recommendations were drawn up which included the following :
- Re-look at the incentives for companies to switch to gas/biomethane and alter as necessary to make the prospect more appealing.
- Develop a network of refuelling depots and support the implementation of the infrastructure.
- Make sure that supplies of the gas are secure.
The idea is that if a national refuelling network is installed and made accessible to all HGVs, then more and more companies would switch to natural gas or biomethane. The government are putting incentives in place to encourage companies to change to low carbon vehicles, as well as maintaining that duty rates for road gas will not be increased above the necessary.

The government has also been encouraged by the FTA (Freight Transport Association) to push all resources in the direction of creating the infrastructure, which they believe will be the backbone to the whole operation, and provide the confidence for companies considering the change.