UK announces funding for low and zero emission vehicles including biogas and methane

In the UK, vans will go electric and lorries will run on hydrogen dual-fuel under a GBP20 million government programmed to cut emissions and improve air quality, Transport Minister John Hayes announced Wednesday.

The funding, announced at the Sustainable Road Transport Conference, in central London, is being given to 20 firms who set out plans for innovative ways to deploy low and zero emission vehicles. The funding is being delivered by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and Innovate UK.

The aim of the competition is to demonstrate new technologies and to encourage the widespread introduction of low and zero emission vehicles to UK fleets. Air Liquide Group receives the largest amount of funding – GBP2.57 million – for its project trialing biogas in 86 lorries ranging from 26 tons to 44 tons. In addition, 5 refrigeration units will use a prototype liquid nitrogen system. Several projects include biogas or dual-fuel with diesel and methane.