CNG Fuels, a provider of renewable biomethane for HGVs, has opened the world’s largest public access biomethane refuelling station in Avonmouth, near Bristol, with the aim of meeting growing demand from major brands to cut emissions from haulage.
Located near the M4/M5 junction just outside Bristol, the site is capable of refuelling 80 HGVs per hour from 14 high-speed dispensers, making it the largest public access biomethane refuelling station in the world. When fully utilised, the station will cut 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year by taking diesel HGVs off the road.
The site is part of CNG Fuels’ nationwide network of eight renewable biomethane refuelling stations which covers the length and breadth of the country, enabling low carbon deliveries from Inverness to Cornwall. The company is aiming to build 12 additional stations each year to cater for growing demand.
According to CNG Fuels, such sites will also save HGV operators money, while supporting the decarbonisation of the UK’s Road haulage sector, responsible for 18% of total UK road transport emissions.
The new station is closely situated to existing customers, such as Royal Mail, Warburtons and Amazon, helping household brands to reduce haulage emissions and align with the UK’s net zero targets. Lidl supermarket is the latest brand to convert its fleets to renewable biomethane.
Jason Wild, distribution and recycling consultant of Lidl, said: “We are committed to reducing our environmental impact across our entire operations and switching our fleets over to renewable biomethane instead of diesel is a crucial step.
“CNG Fuels’ new station in Avonmouth is a key location to allow us to make low-carbon deliveries across the Southwest.”
CNG Fuels added 100% of the fuel supplied is renewable and sustainable biomethane, sourced from food waste and approved under the Department for Transport’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation scheme. CNF Fuels added renewable biomethane is the lowest carbon and most cost-effective alternative to diesel for HGVs, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% and reducing lifetime vehicle costs by 30%-40%.
Philip Fjeld, CEO of CNG Fuels, added: “Brands across the country are under more and more pressure to cut emissions from fleets and renewable biomethane is the only commercially viable solution on the market today. We are continuing to see high increases in demand and with the recent news of the 2040 ban on new diesel HGV’s, we expect the pace of demand to continue.
“We are rapidly expanding our nationwide network of refuelling stations, ensuring sites are strategically located across major trucking routes to make them as accessible as possible. The new site in Avonmouth is in a key location for many of our customers, allowing them to expand the reach of their low carbon deliveries into the South West and Wales. In addition to our expanding network, we are also preparing for a multiple fuel future to ensure that when new technologies emerge, the infrastructure will already be in place to cater to demand.”
