The U.K. government is helping to fund a demonstration program intended to support heavy-duty fleets' adoption of low-carbon commercial vehicles – mainly natural gas and dual-fuel trucks.
Thirteen companies are participating in the £23 million initiative, which is receiving £11 million in government support. Over 300 vehicles will be involved in the program.
‘Operators often cite lack of [natural] gas refueling infrastructure as a barrier to the take-up of alternatives to diesel,’ says U.K. Freight Minister Mike Penning. ‘These trials include £2.4 million in funding for publicly accessible stations, which will encourage investment in low-carbon trucks and other vehicles.’
Among the trials is one administered by J.B. Wheaton and Sons Ltd., which will fuel 28 vehicles with compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG) that is blended with renewable biomethane. This project will also involve the development of seven fixed refueling stations and five mobile stations.
Also, Robert Wiseman Diaries is working with Chive Fuels, Cenex and MIRA to test 40 new dual-fuel natural gas trucks. These vehicles will get fuel from two upgraded public-access LNG stations – one in the West Midlands and the other in Scotland.
Ascott Transport Ltd., Brit European Transport Ltd., CNG Services Ltd., G-Volution Ltd., Howard Tenens Associates Ltd., John Lewis Partnership PLC, T Baden Hardstaff Ltd., Tesco PLC, The BOC Group and United Biscuits UK Ltd. are also participating in the initiative, which will be managed by the Technology Strategy Board in partnership with the U.K. Department for Transport and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
