Dutch biomethane supplier targets UK HGV market

Construction has begun in Doncaster on an HGV refuelling station by Netherlands based alternative fuels supplier ReFuels NV, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of renewable biomethane.

The site in South Yorkshire is at one of the country’s largest logistic hubs and according to ReFuels “puts 90% of the UK’s population and four of the country’s largest ports within a four to five hours of the station.”

Notably it is within an hour’s range of Immingham Docks, the UK’s largest port by tonnage. With 76% of all intermodal journeys involving HGVs beginning or ending at a shipping dock, ReFuels claims the new station will play a fundamental role in enabling major fleets to cut emissions by over 90% compared to diesel.

The new station will host 12 refuelling pumps, capable of refuelling more than 500 HGVs daily. At capacity, this is estimated to cut 60,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

Philip Fjeld, CEO & Co-Founder of ReFuels, said, “Fleets around the country are under significant pressure to slash emissions and today, there’s only one viable option – 100% renewable biomethane. Our latest site is set to transform access to Bio-CNG [Bio-Compressed Natural Gas] for fleets travelling to and from the UK’s largest ports.

“As a key logistics hub in the UK, the Doncaster station will not only expand the reach of low-carbon deliveries for our existing customers, including the likes of Amazon, DHL, and Lidl, but many more major brands and local hauliers looking to make substantial emission cuts from fleets.”

The station is a joint venture between CNG Fuels, the infrastructure arm of ReFuels, and sustainability-led investment management company, Foresight Group.

Renewable biomethane – derived from food waste and manure – is considered the lowest carbon, most cost-effective alternative fuel to diesel suitable for HGVs available today, cutting emissions by over 90% while providing up to 40% lifetime fuel cost savings.

As the UK Government sets out to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles by 2040, fleet operators are under growing pressure to seek alternative solutions that will enable major emission cuts.

By 2026, ReFuels plans to open between 30-40 new stations in the UK, with a total capacity to refuel 15,000 HGVs daily, and dispense more than 600,000 tonnes of renewable biomethane every year – equivalent to cutting the UK’s HGV emissions by 8%.

The company is also preparing for future technologies with plans to host hydrogen trials across its sites, to ensure the infrastructure is readily available to cater to new technologies when they become commercially viable.