ADBA Transport Working Group, Thursday 15th May 2014
Andrew Whittles, Chair (Low Emission Strategies), Justin Laney (Waitrose), Patrick Mocatta (Gasrec), Jordan
Marshall (ADBA), David Francis (OLEV), Christopher Maltin (Biomethane Ltd), Colin Stewart (BOC), Clare Boam
(DfT), Nick Harbord (Gas Alliance Group), Richard Barski (RoadGas)
Air pollution
In context of recent report from Public Health England, which showed that long term exposure to air pollution was
responsible for 29,000 deaths in 2008, group discussed DfT’s approach to urban air pollution.
NH argued that DfT was not focusing enough on air quality, with too much attention on CO2. CM suggested that
monitoring inside buses (as was done in Los Angeles), would help illustrate extent of issue.
CB questioned why only 10 trucks in Low Carbon Truck Trial were dedicated gas. JL thought that in past
dedicated gas had been perceived as risk, but this situation changing as more gas becomes available – the
news that Scania are introducing gas vehicles which are as efficient as diesel is welcome.
JL stated that many large companies see urban air quality replacing CO2 savings as more important from CSR
perspective.
AW & CM set out that taxis and buses often account for huge proportion of air pollution in cities, with buses often
accounting for 40% - this could be an area where we can make a strong argument for a change to
gas/biomethane.
JM noted that there was an ongoing Parliamentary inquiry into air quality (closing 5 June) – which could be a
useful opportunity to make the case for the air quality benefits that can be delivered through increasing uptake of
gas/biomethane vehicles. ACTION for JM to circulate ADBA draft response to group for comment.
DfT Waste & Gaseous Fuels in Transport: Draft Final Report (Ricardo AEA)
AW outlined that many were disappointed that the report does not include air quality within its remit – it focuses
on £/carbon and examines various pathways.
RB also argued that the report was biased towards diesel in many of its conclusions – CB clarified that
the report is currently being redrafted following useful evidence from stakeholders.
Group discussed the viability of gas/biomethane in cars, with CM & RB noting that it was used in cars
across the world.
DF posited that government’s focus on gas in HGVs rather than cars was possibly down to fact that
government has 2050 targets on CO2 tailpipe emissions, where gas/biomethane doesn’t have as big
an impact as electric or hydrogen. JL argued that this wasn’t most sensible approach given continuing
low uptake of electric and fact hydrogen is unviable because of low energy density.
Sherpa Group (DfT) Gas Strategy for Freight
CB updated the group on DfT’s progress on implementing recommendations of Low Emission HGV Taskforce
group. DfT will be consulting this summer to allow biomethane to receive RTFO on energy equivalence with
diesel, with the change likely to be in place from April 2015.
DfT are likely to publish a full update in January 2015 on the progress that has been made in taking forward the
recommendations. The HGV Taskforce group is likely to meet prior to this point, although this will be at the
discretion of the full Sherpa group.
CB also noted that, following a full meeting of the Sherpa group in April, a suggestion was made that it would be
helpful to collate all reports/data in one place. AW pointed out that there will be a number of low emission zone
feasibility studies in the next year which should provide useful information. ACTION for group to send relevant
reports to CB.
UK Gas & Biomethane Vehicle Conference 2014
The group discussed the draft programme that is being put together for the second annual Biomethane & Gas
Vehicle Conference, taking place 9 September at Northampton Guildhall.
DF suggested that we could invite Ian Hodgson from the European Commission (DG Climate) to talk about the
Commission’s Clean Power for Transport proposals.
NH thought that the current draft programme was too strategy-based – sets scene well, but should talk about
next steps and needs to set clear routemap of where delegates can get more information.
PM was keen to see the issues of lease finance and second hand market covered within the programme.
ACTION for group to comment on programme and suggest speakers once programme is circulated by JM or
AW.
ACTION for those interested in exhibiting at the event to contact jamil.ahad@adbiogas.co.uk
Horizon 20/20 Funding
AW explained that Horizon 2020 funding is now available, with a focus on infrastructure. Any interested parties
should contact AW for more information.
Gas Buses
NH outlined that Arriva, Go-Ahead and Stagecoach are all becoming increasingly active in gas vehicle market.
Introduction of a doubledecker gas bus could be a gamechanger – TfL alone replace 1,000 buses each year.
NH estimated that there were 100 gas buses in UK, with many considering expanding fleets using Green Bus
Fund. AW noted that bus deregulation outside London can create problems as some companies are choosing
to run old buses for long periods.
TSB Low Carbon Truck Trials
The group discussed the various trials which are now underway, with CB stating that DfT was still scoping out
how to do PEMS testing and they hadn’t engaged Cenex yet.
AW thought that much of the data from LCTT could eventually be uploaded to the Gas Vehicle Hub. RB raised
that he’d had difficulty finding correct contact at Greenwich Council to amend website. ACTION for AW to find
central point of contact at Greenwich and circulate details to group.
OLEV Funding 2015 – 2020
DF provided an update on OLEV’s recent announcement of £500m to support ultra-low emission vehicles
between 2015-20. £35m has been set aside for “low emission cities” – could support bids from cities looking to
introduce gas buses and gas refuelling infrastructure.
£20m has been allocated for ultra low emission taxis, with a CO2 metric that has to be met. £30m is available for
low emission buses, which has a tailpipe emissions metric.
£4m for gas refuelling infrastructure has also been allocated, in line with the Clean Power for Transport
requirements. DF outlined that much of the detail around this funding will not be confirmed until Autumn – there
will be a roundtable this summer to gather views on implementation.
DF also indicated that there was cross-party support for measures so would continue after 2015 General
Election. AW stressed that there needed to be around 2-3 months to prepare applications once bidding open.
DF also informed the group that the European Commission will shortly be publishing a report which will pave the
way for regulation of CO2 levels for HGVs.
ACTIONS
1. JM to circulate ADBA draft response to group for comment
2. Group to send relevant reports & data to CB for DfT to collate
3. Group to comment on programme for Biomethane & Gas Vehicle Conference and suggest speakers once
programme is circulated by JM or AW
4. For those interested in exhibiting at UK Biomethane & Gas Vehicle Conference contact
jamil.ahad@adbiogas.co.uk
5. AW to find central point of contact at Greenwich Council on Gas Vehicle Hub and circulate details to group