Refuelling infrastructure will boost alternative fuel

Developing a sustainable infrastructure for refuelling will be essential for increasing the usage of alternative fuels says DHL Supply Chain.

In its latest white paper on the future for alternative fuels, it suggests that Europe needs to consider implementing a refuelling system first before alternative fuels can become mainstream for commercial vehicles.

DHL says that currently dual-fuel is the best compromise as it has been designed to operate with weights in excess of 44-tonnes, and can offer significant CO2 reductions. DHL Supply Chain has experienced improvements with its 147-strong fleet cutting more than 1,200 tonnes from its CO2 emissions.

In the UK, the on-going £13.5 million funded ‘Low Carbon Truck and Refuelling Infrastructure Demonstration Trial’, has been developed to leave an infrastructure legacy to build on as there will be 26 alternative fuelling stations in operation after the trial concludes.

The trial is also implementing 354 trucks in that time that run on alternative fuels, most as dual-fuel trucks. Meanwhile, the government has committed to maintain a fuel duty differential between gas and diesel until 2024, which it hopes will encourage operators to invest in the technology.