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Using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Bio-Methane for transport fuel in cars and lorries has good environmental benefits?
- Yes, using compressed natural gas (CNG) or bio-methane as transport fuel in cars and lorries can have good environmental benefits.
- Firstly, natural gas is one of the cleanest-burning fossil fuels, producing fewer emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to petrol or diesel. CNG, which is compressed natural gas, is simply natural gas compressed to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure, making it easier to store and transport. This means that vehicles running on CNG emit significantly lower amounts of harmful pollutants than those running on petrol or diesel.
- Secondly, bio-methane is a renewable fuel that is produced by capturing and cleaning biogas generated from organic waste such as food waste, sewage, or agricultural residues. Bio-methane is chemically identical to natural gas and can be used interchangeably as a transport fuel. When used as a fuel in vehicles, bio-methane produces significantly fewer emissions of harmful pollutants compared to petrol or diesel.
- Furthermore, using bio-methane as a fuel has the additional environmental benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The production of bio-methane from organic waste is a form of waste-to-energy technology that can reduce the amount of methane emitted from landfills or wastewater treatment plants. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year time frame. By capturing and using methane as a fuel, the emissions of this potent greenhouse gas can be significantly reduced.
- Overall, using CNG or bio-methane as transport fuel in cars and lorries can have good environmental benefits, including reduced emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases. However, the environmental benefits depend on the source of the natural gas or biogas used, as well as the efficiency of the fuel production and use process.
Comparing Bio-Methane in cars or lorries compared to EV, what are the pros and cons?
When comparing the use of bio-methane in cars or lorries to electric vehicles (EVs), there are several pros and cons to consider:
Pros of Bio-Methane:
- Lower emissions: Bio-methane produces significantly lower emissions of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.
- Renewable fuel: Bio-methane is a renewable fuel that can be produced from organic waste, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting a circular economy.
- Existing infrastructure: The infrastructure for natural gas refueling already exists, making it easier to transition to bio-methane vehicles compared to EVs, which require significant infrastructure investments.
- Longer range: Vehicles running on bio-methane typically have a longer range compared to EVs, which need frequent recharging.
Cons of Bio-Methane:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: While bio-methane produces lower emissions compared to fossil fuels, it still produces greenhouse gas emissions. The production process and transportation of bio-methane also require energy, which results in additional emissions.
- Limited availability: The availability of bio-methane refueling stations is currently limited, making it difficult to use bio-methane vehicles for long-distance travel.
- Efficiency: The efficiency of bio-methane production and use can vary depending on the source of biogas and the production process, which can impact its overall environmental benefits.
Pros of EVs:
- Zero emissions: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them a cleaner option compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.
- Lower operating costs: EVs have lower operating costs compared to traditional vehicles due to the lower cost of electricity compared to petrol or diesel.
- Promotes renewable energy: EVs can be charged with electricity from renewable sources, such as solar or wind, further reducing emissions and promoting a transition to renewable energy.
- Quiet and smooth: EVs operate quietly and offer a smooth ride, making them an attractive option for urban areas.
Cons of EVs:
- Range anxiety: EVs have limited range compared to traditional vehicles, and drivers need to plan their trips and charging stops accordingly.
- Infrastructure: The infrastructure for EV charging is still developing, and charging stations may not be available in all locations, making it difficult for drivers to find charging stations.
- Initial cost: EVs are generally more expensive to purchase upfront compared to traditional vehicles, although the cost of ownership over time may be lower due to lower operating costs.
- Battery production: The production of EV batteries requires significant amounts of energy and resources, which can result in environmental impacts if not managed properly.
In summary, both bio-methane vehicles and EVs offer environmental benefits compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles, but each has its own pros and cons. The choice between the two options depends on factors such as availability, infrastructure, range requirements, and environmental priorities.
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Type of fuel - source Government 24th Mar 2022 |
Rate |
|
|
Petrol, diesel, biodiesel and bioethanol |
52.95 p per litre |
5p reduction in budget |
|
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) |
28.88 p per kg |
reduced in budget |
|
Natural gas used as fuel in vehicles, for example biogas |
22.57 p per kg |
reduced in budget |
|
‘Fuel oil’ burned in a furnace or used for heating |
9.78 p per litre |
reduced in budget |
Transport Fuel Duty and Heating Fuel Duty
Firstly, looking at these tables, one wonders at the logic applied by those Civil Servants to arrive at such numbers? Was it a gallons to litres issue? Who can tell.
With the reduction of 5p on Petrol and Diesel it must be stressed that LPG, CNG and LNG powered vehicles already had a big advantage in respect of “fuel duty” and have further been slightly reduced in this year's budget too [see table]. With Natural gas /bio gas at less than 50% [42.6% in fact] of even the new Petrol/Diesel duty. Also LPG [Liquefied petroleum gas] is only 54.5% of the ‘normal’ [petrol/diesel] fuel duty.
Also please note the Bio-diesel and Bio-ethanol both attract FULL duty per litre. This makes little sense given the processes involved to create these fuels – although growing crops to make these is not ideal.