Gasrec is urging the Government to cease ignoring the environmental and health benefits of natural gas powered vehicles.

The liquefied natural gas provider wants it to introduce a series of low cost measures that would encourage the growth of the low emission transport solution.

Gasrec has published a report - Driving change to low emission transport – to make its case. The findings show manufacturer testing reveals new Euro 6 gas powered HGVs can deliver a reduction of 96% less carbon particulate emissions and 78% less NOx emissions, along with a yearly CO2 emissions cut of up to 19 tonnes per vehicle, compared to Euro 6 diesel emission standards.

The same results show the CO2 savings could be up to 100 tonnes per vehicle per year, if a Bio-LNG blend of fuel is used, says Gasrec.

The report suggests a series of measures should be introduced by Government, as part of a joined up inter-departmental effort, in response to the recent Air Quality Consultation with the goal of implementation during 2016.

Key suggestions include:

• Adopt fuel taxation that reflects fuel impacts on the environment
• Encourage the wider introduction of Clean Air Zones including at British ports
• Enact the already agreed EU Weights and Dimensions Directive immediately
• Remove green technology driving licence restrictions for 3.5 tonne delivery vehicles
• Allow night time deliveries with quieter vehicles
• Promote low emission vehicles in public tendering

The report comes at a time when leading manufacturers have prepared the ground for the introduction of low emission gas-powered vehicles – particularly in the heavier weight category – but market confidence is constrained by the UK Government’s lack of meaningful encouragement and support, claims Gasrec.

The report notes that if just 1% of light and heavy commercial vehicles, buses and coaches across the UK were replaced with natural gas powered equivalents, the UK would benefit from a CO2 saving per annum of over 64,000 tonnes and a significant reduction in NOx, SOx and particulate matter emissions.

Government estimates show that NOx emissions contribute to 23,500 early deaths annually, with a further 29,000 due to particulate matter emissions.

Rob Wood, Gasrec’s chief executive, said: “Time is now running out for the government to tackle this critical issue, as they come under intense pressure from the media and public opinion, health specialists, the European Commission and even their own Supreme Court.

“The economic, commercial and environmental benefits of natural gas as a vehicle fuel are already widely recognised in Europe and around the world – and now it is time for the UK Government to take these benefits seriously and properly support the growth of this technology. 

“We are already seeing diesel come under the spotlight over emissions cheating and the total inadequacy of existing regulation on testing regimes versus ‘real world’ emissions.

“But perhaps the most worrying aspect of the ‘diesel fraud’ scandal is the strong probability that the growth of other viable fuels and technologies – natural gas included – may have suffered considerably as a result of the misrepresentation.”

The report notes that while the Government’s focus on encouraging a transition to electric cars is to be encouraged, it argues the only currently viable, low emission solution for vehicles at the heavier end of the transport spectrum is to fuel them with natural gas, which is also cheaper for fleet operators than diesel.

It highlights that while heavier vehicles are far fewer in number, they bear a disproportionately high responsibility for transport-related air pollution. It also notes this fuel is now widely available and manufacturers currently have a selection of these vehicles available.

According to Natural Gas Vehicle Association data, there are already 1.2 million natural gas vehicles in use across the EU, the vast majority of which are cars and vans. But this figure also includes over 6,500 trucks and 14,500 buses. 

The UK has benefitted from some of this growth over recent years, mostly through the adoption of liquefied natural gas by HGV fleet managers.

In the UK there are now over 700 gas-powered HGVs on the road network, operated by some 25 leading household brands.

Additionally, a number of lighter gas powered delivery vehicles are also being used in urban areas and fleets of natural gas powered buses are operating in Reading and Sunderland.