Analysis
On the road to
alternatively
fuelled transport
WHILST THE DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT HAS ADMITTED THAT DIESEL
IS ‘A SENSIBLE CURRENT FUEL CHOICE
FOR HGVS’, THE GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE
TO MAKE A 15% REDUCTION IN VEHICLE
EMISSIONS (FROM 2015 LEVELS) WILL BE
A DRIVER FOR CHANGE UP TO 2025.
Supported by the Freight Transport Association
(FTA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA),
this target is presently voluntary, but for how
long?
For HGVs to reach zero emissions, an
increasing use of technology coupled with a
switch to alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) is
being advocated.
When it comes to encouraging fleets to
adopt AFVs, putting the right incentives in
place was cited as the government’s biggest
challenge by 61% of respondents to Hitachi
Capital (UK)’s Future of Fuel report published in
December 2017.
www.hitachicapitalvehiclesolutions.
co.uk/media/3114/hitachi-capital-vehicle-
solutions-future-of-fuel-report-2017.pdf
With 73% of fleet professionals saying
that the government needs to do more to
support AFVs, we take a look at some of the
choices made by recent AFV pioneers.
Will LNG or CNG technology be a game
changer?
Back in August, Abbey Logistics became the
first tanker company in the UK to trial Volvo’s
new LNG powered 6x2 heavy regional and
long-haul tractor.
Previously trialling CNG and LNG on
4x2 axle tractors, Abbey was keen to try this
new LNG FM which promises the same fuel
efficiency and performance as diesel whilst
emitting 20% less CO2, and having lower fuel
costs. Requiring the same service intervals
as diesel versions, its operating range is
comparable to diesel.
“The Abbey trial is an important milestone
for our new LNG technology as it’s the first
true 44 tonne test we have done,” said Darren
Newman, Volvo Group UK’s LNG/CNG account
manager.
The HOYER Group is also exploring LNG’s
environmental benefits with IVECO handing
over a Stralis 440S40 NP type truck to the
company at the recent IAA in Hanover.
Abbey Logistics trialling the gas-powered Volvo LNG
Working with Total Deutschland, Petrolog
began trialling this vehicle last month with
deliveries to service stations in the Hamburg
and Bremen region in Germany.
This truck, which emits 15% less CO2
and 60% less nitrogen oxide, consumes 15%
less fuel per kilometre driven, and operates at
a lower noise level than conventional diesel-
powered engines.
“Despite being more expensive to buy,
we are convinced by the truck’s positive
environmental and operational benefits,” said
Mark Binns, Petrolog managing director.
“Introducing the truck will contribute
towards our corporate initiative to reduce CO2
emissions produced by our vehicle operations
by 25% per ton-kilometre by 2020.
Recognised as a pioneer of this
technology, IVECO is focusing on the
promotion of trucks using alternative fuels
which HOYER’s MD sees as ‘interesting and
promising’.
Having received funding from the Office
for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV), 58 Waitrose
gas trucks are taking part in the UK’s first
large-scale study of a low-carbon alternative
to diesel.
In partnership with Innovate UK, OLEV
is aiming to encourage UK fleet operators to
switch from diesel to low carbon biomethane.
Performance data is being analysed by
a team from the Centre for Sustainable Road
Freight – www.csrf.ac.uk – at Cambridge
University. The trial, which is due to finish
in September 2019, will produce the first
performance report for a large dedicated CNG
fleet.
Could this be a mainstream reality?
Last month saw the first commercial flight
propelled by advanced fuels produced from
recycled waste industrial gases. Developed
by LanzaTech, the fuel is produced from steel
making and other heavy industrial processes,
and because it is made from plentiful,
affordable waste-streams, there is a fighting
chance that price will be on a par with that of
current fossil fuel.
Calling on the UK government to bring
this breakthrough technology to Britain, Virgin
Atlantic’s CEO Richard Branson said:
“The LanzaTech process is important
because this fuel takes waste, carbon-rich
gases from industrial factories and gives them
a second life – so that new fossil fuels don’t
have to be taken out of the ground. This flight
is a huge step forward in making this new
technology a mainstream reality.”
AFV support for
vehicle operators
On 29th November, the FTA will examine
electric, gas power and hydrogen powered
fuel cells at The Realities of Going Green
conference where delegates can learn from
people with practical experience of using
different fuels.
fta.co.uk/events/realities-of-going-
green
thefreightportal.org/ is a freight portal
designed to help HGV operators, particularly
smaller hauliers, to be more energy efficient.
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/
transport/fleet
Fuel Oil News | November 2018 13