UK supplier of alternative low-carbon fuels for HGVs CNG Fuels has announced plans to host hydrogen fuel trials across its national network of public access refuelling stations, in a bid to support the future decarbonisation of HGVs. The first trials are due to begin in mid-2022, with the company currently in discussions with international partners.
By 2025, says CNG Fuels, it plans to allocate 100 acres of its land to public access hydrogen refuelling. And a new branch, HyFuels, has been established to identify the best hydrogen production pathways and infrastructure solutions for HGVs, to support customers in adopting hydrogen quickly and easily once it becomes commercially viable.
HyFuels is already said to be in “advanced discussions” with major international providers of both hydrogen infrastructure and the fuel to deploy its first trials. Among the first initiatives will be a number of hydrogen-ready mobile refuelling units that are able to quickly deliver hydrogen to refuelling sites on demand.
According to the website Auto Futures, findings from the trials will be used to inform UK government, industry, and existing customers on the effectiveness of different hydrogen solutions and outline key infrastructure considerations for a hydrogen refuelling network.
CNG Fuels already supports major fleets with 100% renewable biomethane sourced from food waste and manure across its UK-wide network of public access refuelling stations. Major brands in the UK reported to be already on board include the John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose, Hermes, Warburtons, and Royal Mail.
CNG Fuels CEO Philip Fjeld notes that HGVs account for 5% of all UK emissions, “making their decarbonisation one of the single most important things the UK can do to meet our net zero ambitions”.
Renewable biomethane is and will continue to be the most effective decarbonisation solution for heavy transport for many years, he adds. “However, we have launched HyFuels to ensure we are ready to support our customers’ journey to a multi-fuel future as new technologies become commercially viable and the fuel readily available.”
CNG Fuels currently operates seven public access bio-CNG refuelling stations in the UK, and plans to open at least 12 more every year from 2022. The company plans to have 60 stations in operation by 2026, supporting the mass adoption of renewable biomethane fuel by fleets across the UK.
Also in the news:
New model suggests the economics of rural charging infrastructure can work
Suncor and ATCO seek fiscal support for potential CCS hydrogen project in Alberta
ABB and Amazon Web Services collaborate on EV fleet management platform
Japan’s major electric motorbike manufacturers agree swappable battery standard