World’s largest biomethane HGV refuelling station to open in Avonmouth

Construction work is underway on a new low carbon refuelling station, said to be the largest of its kind in the world.

CNG Fuels has announced plans to open the facility in Avonmouth by the end of the year as part of efforts to support companies switch their delivery fleets to be run on biomethane, as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to diesel.

Based near the M4/M5 junction, the new station will serve some of the busiest freight routes in the UK and will have capacity to refuel 80 HGVs an hour from 14 high speed dispensers.

The new site will join six existing stations across the UK and CNG expects to open a further 14 stations by the end of 2022 in response to growing demand from household brands. Major firms, including Warburtons, Farm Foods, Hermes and Wessex Water, are expected to be among those that will use the facility.

CNG Fuels has announced plans to open a new biomethane HGV refueling station in Avonmouth – photo courtesy of CNG Fuel/Greenhouse PR

Philip Fjeld, CEO of CNG Fuels, said: “Avonmouth is a key site for CNG Fuels’ expansion 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.

“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.”

All of the fuel supplied by CNG Fuels is renewable and sustainable biomethane, approved under the Department for Transport’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation scheme. From next year, the company intends to dispense fully carbon neutral fuel by sourcing biomethane from manure. The gas is currently sourced from waste feedstocks, such as food waste.

Demand for the fuel from fleet operators is already growing at around 100 per cent per annum, with CNG Fuels forecasting this will continue to accelerate. The company estimates that by 2025, approximately ten per cent of the UK’s high-mileage HGV fleet will be running on Bio-CNG.

It also consulting on how its network of refuelling stations can best accommodate low-carbon hydrogen and battery electric technologies for HGVs.

Andy Newnes, the commercial director of Romac Logistics, said: “We’ve seen demand from our customers for greener logistics and a need to demonstrate a clear sustainability strategy as they seek to reduce their supply chain and transport emissions.

“CNG Fuels’ strategic network of refuelling infrastructure across the country is giving fleets the confidence to switch to biomethane – the scale of the new station in Avonmouth highlights just how rapidly the demand for cleaner, more affordable HGV fuel is growing.”

Kate Royston, director at SevernNet, added: “We welcome the arrival of CNG Fuels’ first refuelling station in the Portbury-Avonmouth-Severnside area. The site is an important step in the decarbonisation of HGV transport across the area and will enable low carbon deliveries throughout the region and beyond”.

Main photo courtesy of CNG Fuel/Greenhouse PR 

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