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FTA welcomes new government report on renewable fuels

Alternative Fuels
A government report published on Friday (9 September) admits that electrification of HGVs is unlikely, even in the long term, and that government must incentivise operators to move to biomethane.

The report, ‘2020 Renewable Heat and Transport Targets’ from the Energy and Climate Change Committee, admits that the UK will miss its 2020 renewable energy targets without a significant step change in the transport sector.

The Freight Transport Association gave evidence to the Committee in June and outlined the key issues that are preventing the sector from using renewable fuels such as biomethane.

Christopher Snelling (pictured), FTA head of national and regional policy, says: “This report provides clear evidence that government must review its current policy on renewable transport fuels. While the UK must meet renewable energy targets, the freight sector is also under enormous pressure to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, but we need the policies in place to make alternatives feasible.”

FTA says government schemes, such as the Renewable Heat Incentive, provide a much greater incentive for biomethane producers to inject into the grid for electricity and heating, rather than further upgrading biomethane for use as a transport fuel.

Snelling says more OLEV funding is required for the freight sector, and adds: “Lack of refuelling infrastructure and added expense of alternatives makes the business case extremely difficult for operators.”

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