Natural Gas and Biomethane Set to Revolutionise Haulage Industry

As you may already know, our company offers HGV training in Nottinghamshire, North Yorkshire, Somerset, and all across the UK. Therefore, we know that the haulage and transport industries use a lot of diesel fuel to keep things moving. Nevertheless, that may be changing with government plans to transition to other fuels.

Chancellor George Osborne made it clear in his 2013 Autumn Statement that the government needs to do more to help the haulage industry transition from diesel fuel to alternatives like natural gas and biomethane. It appears that the Department for Transport paid attention. They just released a report outlining a plan by which HGV operators and other hauliers could transition away from diesel.

The report includes recommendations from a task force made up of representatives from the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and various government agencies, according to Fleet Directory. The recommendations lay the groundwork for transitioning from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or biomethane.

Either of the gas options would eliminate most of the need for diesel fuel within the haulage sector. All but a few HGVs and LGVs could eventually run entirely on gas while still being just as productive and reliable. Down the road, it is conceivable that biomethane could take the place of both natural gas products. Biomethane is a flammable gas created through the decomposition of waste material. It is currently in use as a vehicle fuel on a very limited test basis in the UK.

Saving the Industry Money

There are a number of good reasons for the industry to transition to natural gas and biomethane, not the least of which is significant financial savings. Alternative products are much less expensive to produce making it likely these would cost less on the retail market. What’s more, these would not be sensitive to political unrest to the same degree petroleum-based fuels are right now. That would likely lead to greater price stabilisation over in the long run.

Should this come to fruition, even companies like HGV Training Centre would benefit through lower fuel costs. The combination of a lower retail price and greater fuel efficiency means we would spend a lot less money training our drivers. We are not about to complain about that.

Time for You to Train

The HGV Training Centre wants to encourage you to consider undergoing your commercial driver training as soon as you can, if you are interested in a brand-new career. Commercial driving offers you the opportunity to enjoy the open road, see new places and meet new people, and enjoy an environment a lot less restrictive than sitting in an office cubicle all day. What’s more, the career pays fairly well and promises long-term stability.

As we said earlier, we offer HGV training in Nottinghamshire, North Yorkshire, and Somerset, as well as more than 40 other locations around the UK. We can get you started on your training as soon as you contact us.

Sources:

1. Fleet Directory – http://www.fleetdirectory.co.uk/news/hgv-switch-to-gas-could-slash-emissions-and-cost-for-hauliers/