With 38.4 million vehicles licensed for use on the roads in Great Britain, transport emissions are making a major contribution to climate change. The UK’s 2050 Net Zero emissions target is now enshrined in law, so pressure to reduce harmful emissions on our roads has never been greater – and as a result, the government is actively introducing measures to reduce our carbon footprint and clean up our air pollution problem.
But when it comes to vehicle emissions, it’s not just climate change at stake. Air pollution also affects public health, with 92% of the global population living in places where air quality levels exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) limits. Emissions from transport are having a huge impact on our day-to-lives and our carbon footprint alike, so it’s imperative that we understand the new developments and fuel alternatives that are helping create a greener and healthier future for the way we drive. Here, the energy experts at LPG supplier Flogas Britain explore the main ways that car energy is changing.
The Road to Zero
From the move towards LPG Autogas to the rise of electric cars, the way we fuel our vehicles is set to change dramatically over the next 20 years. This is mainly due to the government’s Road to Zero Strategy, which aims to end the sale of all new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040. The Strategy also plans to increase the supply and sustainability of low carbon fuels, as a way to reduce emissions from the existing vehicles already on our roads.
In our most polluted cities, regional-level policies are also driving change. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, introduced the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) on 08 April 2019, which stipulates that vehicles driving within the zone must meet new, tighter emissions standards or pay a daily charge. The aim is to improve air quality and lower emissions from conventional petrol and diesel-run vehicles in central London, with emissions set to fall by as much as 45% by 2020.
Initiatives like these are encouraging the move away from traditional automotive fuels (petrol and diesel) – but how do the alternatives stack up?
The evolution of electric
Offering compelling environmental and air quality benefits, the idea of electric cars has been around for a long time. However, it was thought of as more of an ideal to aspire to rather than a serious catalyst in the fight against climate change. This has all changed in the last decade, with the development of advanced electric vehicle technology that has given electric cars mainstream credibility and appeal.
The sudden rise of the electric car has been catapulted forward by demand amongst Generation Z drivers. Research suggests that people aged 18-24 are the most likely to own an electric vehicle, with the main reason being the climate crisis.
However, the infrastructure to support this upsurge in interest is yet to match the technology available. With a chronic shortage of public charging points, one of the biggest impediments to many buying an electric car is the fear of running out of power and the risk of not being able to recharge on the go.
LPG – An interim fuel
With electric cars yet to hit the mass market, there are fuel alternatives that offer energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions that are already readily available. Autogas, also known as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), is the most accessible alternative fuel on the market – with over 170,000 Autogas vehicles currently on the road across the UK, serviced by more than 1,400 refuelling stations.
As well as its appeal for drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint, Autogas is a popular choice for those looking to cut fuel costs compared to conventional fuels. Extensive existing infrastructure, plentiful supply and serious cost- and carbon-cutting potential mean LPG is positioned as the ideal interim fuel in the move away from petrol and diesel, and towards Net Zero.
LNG for transport
Whilst LPG has an important part to play in our journey towards a carbon-free future, there are other alternatives that deliver an even greater reduction in emissions. As the cleanest burning fossil fuel available, LNG (liquefied natural gas) has quickly become the world’s fastest growing gas supply source. As well as being highly efficient, it emits significantly fewer pollutants and offers CO2 savings of 20% compared to diesel, making it ideal for businesses who own large truck fleets and need to adhere to stringent air pollution controls. Bio-LNG takes this one step further, offering CO2 savings of over 80%. Also known as liquefied biomethane, Bio-LNG is a renewable fuel that’s created during the break down of organic matter, meaning it can be produced anywhere anaerobic digestion occurs (AD).
For more information on how LPG, LNG or Bio-LNG could help you contribute to a cleaner future for transport, visit: www.flogas.co.uk
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Source:
- https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#a1
- https://www.wlpga.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Autogas-Vehicles-Catalogue-2018.pdf
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/739460/road-to-zero.pdf
- https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/pollution-and-air-quality/mayors-ultra-low-emission-zone-london
- https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/ulez-will-start-in-2019-to-tackle-toxic-air
- https://instavolt.co.uk/aa-says-youngsters-most-likely-to-own-an-ev
- https://www.drivelpg.co.uk/about-autogas/
- https://www.shell.com/promos/overview-shell-lng-2019/_jcr_content.stream/1551087443922/1f9dc66cfc0e3083b3fe3d07864b2d0703a25fc4/lng-outlook-feb25.pdf
- https://www.ngva.eu/medias/natural-gas-a-solution-for-a-clean-and-decarbonized-transport-system/
- Transport applications; compared to conventional diesel engines (source: NGVA)