Opportunities huge for biomethane and gas as transport fuel

Bringing together all those with an interest in the biomethane and gas vehicle market, the UK’s first Biomethane and Gas Vehicle Conference, held at London’s City Hall on Wednesday 5 June, demonstrated the clear demand and opportunity for growth in this sector.

Transport Minister Norman Baker (DfT) opened the conference by announcing a further £5m funding to help local authorities to decarbonise bus fleets. He also welcomed the launch of the Gas Vehicle Hub, a national database of operating gas (natural and biomethane) producers and refuelling stations, and confirmed that the department would continue to work with the AD industry to break down the barriers which are currently holding back the supply of biomethane.

The challenge of decarbonising sectors still reliant on diesel such as heavy goods transport and buses, for which electricity is not yet practical, was reiterated by speakers representing the full breadth of the supply chain. Whatever their perspective though, there was one clear message – that switching to gas and biomethane is the only way for these sectors to achieve the meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in air quality needed.

This remarkably overt and strong demand for biomethane within the haulage and freight sector has potentially significant wider implications for government policy and the AD industry: cross departmental coordination particularly in terms of waste and bioenergy policy, such as separate food waste collections, as well as appropriate financial incentives, will be vital if the AD industry is to be able to deliver the biomethane the transport sector is calling for.