Biomethane HGV refuelling station opens near Glasgow

CNG Fuels has opened Scotland’s first public access biomethane refuelling station, adjacent to the busiest transport route in Scotland between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The site can refuel up to 450 lorries per day with biomethane sourced from food waste, cutting carbon emissions by 90% and reducing lifetime vehicle cost by 30%­–40% compared to diesel, says the company.

The new station, located at the Eurocentral industrial estate off the M8 near Bellshill, will support both local Scottish fleets as well as brands making low-carbon deliveries from England to Scotland. The station is also located within proximity of two HGV dealerships – Scania and IVECO – which are among the leading manufactures of biomethane-ready HGVs.

CNG Fuels says its UK-wide network of refuelling stations already puts most of the UK within a 480-km round trip of a refuelling site. Seven stations are already operational, with plans to open up to 14 more by 2023.

Waitrose, Hermes and Warburtons are among major UK brands to switch from diesel to renewable biomethane to cut haulage emissions. And, as HGVs account for 16% of UK transport emissions and around 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland, this is a key sector to decarbonise. The new station will cut 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, when fully utilised, says CNG Fuels.

Demand for biomethane has increased by 1,000% in the last five years as brands seek to reduce emissions in line with the UK’s net zero plans, says CNG. And the trend is set to continue with demand forecasted to increase five-fold in the next five years as the government’s 2040 ban on the sale of new diesel HGVs approaches.

Biomethane refuelling in Scotland
Photo: CNG Fuels