CNG Fuels to open biomethane refuelling station in the South West

CNG Fuels has started construction of a new biomethane refuelling station in Avonmouth, serving HGV operators in Wales and the South West.

The new site will be the world’s largest public access biomethane refuelling station, according to CNG Fuels, and will serve the UK’s busiest freight routes.

Located near the M4/M5 junction, the site will be capable of refuelling 80 HGVs an hour from 14 high speed dispensers and joins six existing refuelling stations already operational across the UK. 

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.”

CNG Fuels expects to open a further 14 stations by the end of 2022, in response to growing demand from household brands. Fleet operators that will use the station in Avonmouth include Warburtons, Farm Foods, Hermes and regional water utility company, Wessex Water.

All of the fuel supplied by CNG Fuels is renewable and sustainable biomethane, approved under the Department for Transport’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme. Renewable biomethane is the lowest carbon, most cost-effective alternative to diesel for HGVs – it is 35%-40% cheaper and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 85 - 90%.

Steven Gray, Warburtons national transport manager, said: “Switching our HGV fleet from diesel to biomethane will be critical for reaching our transport decarbonisation goals. CNG Fuels’ new low-carbon refuelling station in Avonmouth is perfectly situated for our distribution centres in the region and will extend the range of low-carbon deliveries we can make across the country.”

Demand for biomethane from fleet operators is already growing at around 100% per annum and CNG Fuels forecasts that this will continue to accelerate. By 2025, around 10% of the UK’s high-mileage HGV fleet is expected to be running on Bio-CNG.

From next year, CNG Fuels will dispense fully carbon neutral fuel by sourcing biomethane from manure. The gas is currently sourced from waste feedstocks, such as food waste.