More CNG filling stations for trucks

Emissions

Biomethane compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling stations for lorries have opened in Warrington and Northampton. 

The facilities are operated by CNG Fuels, which already has stations at Leyland in Lancashire and Crewe in Cheshire. It plans to open a further six to eight stations in the next 12 months. 

The Warrington facility is located at the Omega South business site beside junction 8 of the M62. The facility can refuel 12 vehicles simultaneously and up to 800 HGVs daily.

The Northampton station is situated at the Red Lion Truckstop, close to junction 16 of the M1. It  can refuel more than 350 HGVs a day. 

The gas is currently sourced from waste feedstocks, such as food waste, and from 2021 will also be produced from manure. 

CNG Fuels said the John Lewis Partnership had already committed to phase-out all diesel-powered heavy trucks from its fleet and replace them with over 500 vehicles running on biomethane by 2028.  Parcel company Hermes was replacing its 200-strong fleet of diesel trucks with CNG, it added. Other firms investing in CNG vehicles include Home Bargains, ASDA, Argos, Royal Mail, DHL and Cadent.  

CNG Fuels said the locations of the next facilities would include Erdington near Birmingham, which is under construction; Knowsley near Liverpool; and Euro Central in Scotland.

The Warrington, Northampton and Erdington stations have been supported by fund manager, Ingenious.

CNG Fuels is considering how the stations could  also accommodate low-carbon hydrogen and battery electric technologies for HGVs when they become commercially viable.