Speedy adoption urged for allowance of heavier HGVs
Gasrec, supplier of liquefied gas fuel for transport, has welcomed the European Union’s latest compromise agreement with the European Parliament which will pave the way for an increase in weight for HGVs converting to run on gas, ensuring they maintain their full load carrying capacity.
Under the agreement, investment in cleaner fuels such as liquefied biomethane and LNG for transport, will be encouraged through the authorisation of a weight increase of up to one tonne for vehicles using these fuels where the technologies require the extra weight.
The new ‘exceptions’ to current maximum weights of lorries and buses is a measure to improve road safety and cut greenhouse gas emissions. It falls under the existing EU Directive 96/53/EC which sets maximum weights and dimensions for heavy commercial vehicles and ensures that Member States cannot restrict the circulation of such compliant vehicles within their territories.
Once the new directive has been formally approved by the European Parliament and Council at second reading, it will be published in the EU Official Journal and member states will have two years to adopt national provisions to comply with it.
Welcoming the news, Ben Sawford, chief commercial officer at Gasrec, said: “This is exceptionally good news for the transportation industry. While the commercial and environmental benefits of converting heavy commercial vehicles to run on liquefied biomethane and LNG are unquestionable, the weight of technology involved has always been a potential issue as it can add up to 300 kg or more per vehicle.
“We would urge the UK government to move quickly to comply with the provisions of this new compromise agreement, which will ensue retail and logistics companies that invest in converting their delivery vehicles to gas will not be penalised with restrictions on load carrying. Maintaining parity in situations like this is critical if the UK is to encourage operators to embrace new cleaner technologies that cut fuel costs and emissions, and greatly improve air quality.”
Gasrec pioneered the use of bio-LNG (liquefied landfill biomethane and LNG) for transport and supplies more than 60% of gas powered HGVs on UK roads. The company is developing and operating the UK’s first strategic distribution network for liquefied bio-gas – it already has 10 operational stations and is planning to open a further four by summer this year. These stations will be EU co-funded through the TEN-T programme and through TSB matched funding
