Biomethane sales continue to soar, reveal latest Gasrec figures
Gasrec has doubled the sales of biomethane across its commercial vehicle refuelling network in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.
The growth continues the huge spike in demand for gas over the past two years, with the company now supplying approximately seven times more biomethane to the road transport sector than at the start of 2019.
James Westcott, Chief Commercial Officer at Gasrec, says: “Demand is growing by the day, as more operators transition to running on cleaner and lower cost biomethane. The net result is we are seeing some very big fleets ditching diesel altogether and only investing in gas trucks when replacing or adding assets.”
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, he adds: “It’s a hugely exciting time and we’re working closely with end-user fleets and developers of new logistics parks to ensure we’re putting dedicated infrastructure where it’s needed to help operators scale fast. We’re at advanced planning and development stages on a number of new sites.”
While there has been a steady increase in demand for Bio-CNG (compressed natural gas), Bio-LNG (liquified natural gas) has seen huge growth – due largely to its suitability for long-haul work and the 6×2 tractor unit market.
Sales of Bio-LNG from Gasrec’s 24/7 flagship site at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) grew by more than 250 per cent in the last 12 months alone.
Westcott explains: “There is little doubt that right now biomethane offers the best route forward when it comes to cutting tailpipe emissions for long-haul operations and will continue to do so for a significant time yet.”
In comparison with Euro-6 diesel, a typical 6×2 truck operating on long-haul work and running on Bio-LNG emits around 90 per cent less NO2 emissions, 99 per cent less particulate matter and 95 per cent less CO². Gas trucks are also significantly quieter than those powered by diesel, cutting noise by around half.
Within the last 12 months Gasrec has invested £1 million upgrading its flagship DIRFT site – which has the capacity to refuel up to 700 trucks per day – plus installed on-site refuelling stations for Reed Boardall at its Boroughbridge site, and for Gregory Distribution at its Cullumpton depot.
The company’s cryogenic trailer fleet – used for delivering Bio-LNG – is also growing rapidly to keep up with demand, with up to eight trailers expected to be on the road by the end of the year.
The growth in sales over the past 12 months comes despite the general effects Coronavirus has had on the UK economy, and Gasrec predicts the upwards trajectory to continue as the country emerges from the pandemic.
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For further press information please contact Dan Jones or James Keeler at Garnett Keeler PR on 020 8647 4467 or dan.jones@garnettkeeler.com / james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com