Gas Networks Ireland and Circle K offering carbon neutral fuel for HGVs 

Gas Networks Ireland and Circle K have introduced carbon neutral fuel for heavy goods vehicles across a number of sites in Ireland.

BioCNG is carbon neutral biomethane gas which is compressed to fit into a vehicle’s tank and is available for HGVs at Circle K’s forecourts in Ballysimon Road, Limerick; Cashel, Clonshaugh and Dublin Port.

Ireland’s commercial transport fleet makes up just three per cent of vehicles on the road nationwide yet is responsible for approximately a fifth of transport’s carbon emissions, according to Gas Networks Ireland.

It adds that HGVs operating on 100 per cent BioCNG can achieve zero carbon emissions.

Gas Networks Ireland first introduced domestically produced biomethane into Ireland’s gas network in 2019. The biomethane is made and injected into the grid in Kildare is certified by the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) as being renewable in accordance with the EC rules set out in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II).

This biomethane is considered a zero-emissions fuel in the transport sector and qualifies as a renewable fuel under the Irish Biofuel Obligation Scheme.

Gas Networks Ireland’s Renewable Gas Registry tracks the allocation of the biomethane from the point of injection into the grid to the point of withdrawal at the Circle K refuelling station.

Karen Doyle, head of business development at Gas Networks Ireland said there has been significant growth in demand from businesses looking to source fuel alternatives in order to develop sustainable supply chains.

“While electricity is a proven alternate fuel for cars, electric solutions are not a viable option for use in heavy goods commercial vehicles, however CNG and BioCNG are, and are being used by fleet operators throughout Europe.

“We are very excited to work with Circle K in offering the option of this carbon neutral fuel to fleet operators in Ireland,” she said.

“In the six months that BioCNG has been available at the four Circle K outlets, almost 1,900 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved, equating to over 1.9 million carbon neutral kilometres.”

“Cleaner carbon neutral renewable gas will help Ireland reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and help to decarbonise Irish businesses, transport and supply chains.

“By gradually replacing natural gas with renewable and carbon neutral gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, Ireland’s transport sector can be powered by increasingly cleaner fuel,” Doyle added.