CNG Fuels will open what it claims is the world’s largest public access biomethane refuelling station for HGVs by the end of the year.
Construction has begun on the Avonmouth station, near Bristol and the M4/M5 junction, and will support low-carbon HGV deliveries in Wales and the South West of England.
Upon completion, it will be capable of refuelling 80 HGVs an hour from 14 high-speed dispensers and joins six existing refuelling stations currently operational across the UK.
“The site will allow companies to use low-carbon fuel for regular routes between London, the Midlands, South Wales, Cornwall and Devon,” said Philip Fjeld, CEO of CNG Fuels.
“Such a strategically crucial location requires our biggest refuelling station yet. This station will enable even more fleet operators and hauliers to reduce their carbon emissions and save money.”
CNG Fuels currently operates six refuelling stations across the UK and expects to have 14 further stations by the end of 2022, supported by £80m of funding from a new partnership with Foresight Group.
The growth is in response to growing demand from household brands including Warburtons, Farm Foods, Hermes and regional water utility company, Wessex Water.
The biomethane supplied by CNG Fuels is currently sourced from waste feedstocks, such as food waste.
It has been approved under the UK Department for Transport’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme and is said to be the lowest carbon, most cost-effective alternative to diesel for HGVs.
According to CNG Fuels, its biomethane is 35%-40% cheaper and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 85-90%.
However, from next year, CNG Fuels said it will dispense fully carbon-neutral fuel by sourcing biomethane from manure.
The company is also consulting on how its stations can best accommodate battery-electric and low-carbon hydrogen-powered HGVs when they become commercially viable.
Read more: Construction of Scotland’s first low-carbon HGV refuelling station begins
