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Going further with CNG

Using biomethane will deliver significant environmental and operational benefits to the business says Waitrose
Last week CNG Fuels, supplier of biomethane fuel, and Waitrose introduced Europe’s most advanced fleet of CNG powered trucks with a range of up to 500 miles. These vehicles use technology developed jointly by Scania and Agility Fuel Solutions which helps overcome concerns about the distance that CNG-powered lorries are able to cover before refuelling.
The 10 new Scania-manufactured CNG trucks entered operation for Waitrose last month. Making deliveries in the Midlands and the North, they are the first in Europe to use two 26-inch diameter carbon fibre fuel tanks which store gas at 250 bar of pressure to increase the range from around 300 miles to as much as 500 miles. This range will allow them to always run entirely on biomethane which is 35% to 40% cheaper than diesel and emits 70% less CO2.
Each truck costs 50% more than one which runs on diesel but the extra costs will be repaid in two to three years with fuel savings of £15,000-£20,000 a year depending on mileage. Operating for at least five years, savings of £75k-100k are expected compared with a diesel equivalent with each lorry also saving more than 100 tonnes of CO2 a year (versus diesel).
“This is a game changer for hauliers,” said Philip Fjeld, CEO of CNG Fuels.
“These high pressure carbon fibre tanks demolish the range anxiety concerns that have made many hauliers reluctant to move away from diesel to CNG.”
www.cngfuels.com