Stobart is trialling a gas refuelling technology that can make savings of 20 per cent, as part of a £23 million government sponsored programme to encourage operators to buy and use low-carbon commercial vehicles.
BOC has developed a “no-loss” technology to cool the fuel to minimise evaporation and venting during the refuelling process, which can potentially lose 20 per cent with more conventional systems.
The project will track the usage of LNG – which typically accounts for up to 65-70 percent of total fuel consumption for a dual-fuel vehicle – as well as the reduction in carbon emissions.
The programme is being co-ordinated by the Government’s Technology Strategy Board, and will seek to quantify the benefits of low-carbon Liquefied Natural Gas as fuel for its fleet of heavy goods vehicles.
BOC, a member of he Linde Group, will provide refuelling facilities for the Eddie Stobart fleet of dual-fuel vehicles at one of Stobart’s regional hubs with scope for other operators to use these facilities.
Kate Willard, Stobart corporate affairs director, said: “The dual-fuel technology will help deliver cost control and reduced emissions for the Group and our customers. We very much look forward to working with TSB and BOC to use this funding to encourage more investment in critical technological solutions such as these.”
