Gasrec guide helps fleets make switch to natural gas

A free guide has been published to help commercial vehicle fleets make the transition from diesel to more environmentally-friendly and sustainable fuels.

Called 10 Tough Questions to Ask Your Commercial Vehicle Gas Provider, the booklet is available to download from the Gasrec website and covers the important issues to consider when appointing a new fuel supplier.

It says that natural gas is becoming an increasingly crucial alternative for the UK transport sector, with stringent government emission targets pushing to reduce HGV greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2025.

Several major commercial vehicle manufacturers – including IVECO, Scania and Volvo – have already made the move into gas, with others expected to follow.

Last year, Ocado announced it was adding 29 Iveco Stralis NP tractor units to its fleet, marking the largest order for single-fuel gas-powered trucks of any manufacturer to-date in the UK.

Five of the compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles entered service immediately, operating out of the company’s Dordon customer fulfilment centre, near Tamworth.

The remaining 24 trucks went into operation later in the year when Ocado’s dedicated natural gas refuelling facility was opened by Gasrec, in Hatfield.

James Westcott, chief commercial officer at Gasrec, said: “More and more fleets are seeing the undeniable benefits of natural gas over diesel. It’s cheaper, cleaner and more sustainable and we have no doubt it represents the best solution for the road transport industry today.

“However, we understand that any decision to change to a new fuel is a significant one, and that’s why we’ve published this guide.

“Hopefully it will help smooth the process and flag the important points to consider when selecting your next fuel supplier.”

Gasrec is a supplier of natural gas and biomethane to the transport sector, fuelling an estimated 60% of gas-powered HGVs on UK roads.

The company operates a network of open-access and dedicated customer sites, offering compressed natural gas (CNG), liquified natural gas (LNG) and biomethane.