Alternative Fuels for UK Truck Operators: Bridging the Gap to Electric Refuelling Networks

Exploring Viable Options While the EV Infrastructure Matures

The road transport sector in the United Kingdom stands at a pivotal crossroads. As the push for decarbonisation accelerates and the 2040 non-fossil fuel truck target looms, heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operators find themselves in a transitional era. While electrification and hydrogen fuel cells are widely touted as the future of road freight, the reality on UK roads is that neither an electric nor a hydrogen refuelling network for trucks exists. In this context, alternative fuels provide crucial stepping stones, offering immediate emissions reductions and operational flexibility for fleets seeking to future-proof their businesses.

The Current Challenges with Electrification

Despite rapid progress in electric vehicle (EV) technology, electrifying the UK’s HGV fleet faces significant hurdles:

• Insufficient Charging Infrastructure: High-powered charging stations suitable for large trucks are sparse, especially along key freight corridors.
• Vehicle Range Limitations: Battery-electric trucks, while improving, often lack the range for long-haul routes, which dominate UK logistics.
• Charging Times: Downtime involved in recharging HGVs is a concern for operators, unlike quick diesel refuelling.
• Upfront Costs: Electric trucks and related infrastructure remain expensive, making them inaccessible for many operators.

Given these challenges, the sector is increasingly considering a suite of alternative fuels as interim—and in some cases, long-term—solutions.

What Can I Do Now?

A range of alternative fuels is currently available or emerging for truck operators in the UK. Each fuel type comes with its own advantages, limitations, and infrastructure requirements. The most prominent options include:

• Biofuels (HVO, biodiesel, biomethane, bioethanol)
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Dual-fuel and retrofit solutions

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)

HVO is a paraffinic diesel alternative derived from waste vegetable oils and animal fats, refined using hydrogen. It is “drop-in” compatible with most modern diesel engines, requiring minimal or no modifications.

• Environmental Impact: HVO can deliver up to 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel, depending on feedstock and supply chain.
• Operational Advantages: Similar performance and storage properties to diesel, making the switch seamless for operators.
• Availability: HVO is increasingly available at commercial fuel depots and directly from suppliers in the UK.
• Limitations: Cost remains somewhat higher than standard diesel, and the sustainability of feedstocks is closely scrutinised.

HVO has been receiving bad press recently, in particular from the BBC whose report highlighted potential use of palm oil and that the providence of HVO is difficult to guarantee. With the customers of logistics businesses being subject to strict carbon reporting, the ability to guarantee the chain of custody for HVO is difficult.

Biodiesel and Bioethanol

Traditional biodiesel (FAME – Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) and bioethanol are produced from renewable biological sources such as rapeseed oil, animal tallow, or sugar beet.

• Biodiesel: Can often be blended up to 7% (B7) with regular diesel for use in standard engines. Higher blends require engine modifications and careful management due to cold flow and storage issues.
• Bioethanol: More common as a petrol substitute, but can play a role in dual-fuel systems or retrofitted engines.
• Environmental Impact: Offers moderate CO2 savings, but sustainability concerns persist, especially if derived from food crops or unsustainable practices.

Biomethane (Renewable Natural Gas) (CNG & LNG)

Biomethane, a form of renewable natural gas produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste, stands out for its potential to significantly cut emissions.

• Vehicle Types: Used in compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) forms—both compatible with existing gas engine HGVs.
• Emissions: Biomethane trucks can reduce “well-to-wheel” CO2 emissions by 70% or more, with lower NOx and particulate matter compared to diesel.
• Infrastructure: There is a growing network of public and private biomethane/CNG/LNG refuelling sites in the UK, often co-located with major freight routes.
• Challenges: Range and refuelling times are comparable to diesel, but vehicle purchase and infrastructure costs can be a barrier for smaller operators.

A number of manufacturers including Scania, Volvo and Iveco have been selling CNG trucks in the UK for a number of years. You can even buy a 6×2 CNG powered tractor unit (Iveco S-eWay) with 500HP which will match the diesel version for performance.

Dual-Fuel and Retrofit Solutions

For fleet operators seeking to balance cost and carbon savings, dual-fuel (diesel/CNG, diesel/hydrogen) or retrofitting existing diesel engines for alternative fuels offers a pragmatic path.

• Cost-Efficiency: Allows gradual adoption of cleaner fuels without the need for wholesale fleet replacement.
• Emission Reductions: Dependent on fuel mix and operational profile, but can offer meaningful improvements.
• Limitations: May require investment in conversion technology, staff training, and new maintenance regimes.

Policy and Incentives

The UK government supports a range of alternative fuel options through grants, incentives, and trials. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) ensures a minimum share of renewable fuels in the transport sector, while the Plug-in Truck Grant, Clean Air Zones, and other regional initiatives provide additional support.

• RTFO: Mandates renewable fuel blend targets for fuel suppliers, encouraging biofuel and biomethane uptake.
• Grants: Financial support is available for vehicle purchase, infrastructure installation, and demonstration projects.
• Clean Air Zones: Many UK cities are introducing or expanding zones that incentivise low-emission vehicles.

Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Electric Future

While alternative fuels offer critical near-term solutions, the industry recognises that full decarbonisation will ultimately hinge on electrification—whether through batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. As such, today’s fuel choices should be future-proofed where possible, considering:

• Compatibility with evolving emissions standards
• Flexibility to upgrade or switch fuels as technologies mature
• Investment in staff training and technical expertise

Next Steps

For UK truck operators, the journey to zero emissions is a marathon, not a sprint. As the nation builds up its electric truck charging infrastructure, a spectrum of alternative fuels—each with their own merits—provides the necessary bridge. Hydrotreated vegetable oil, biomethane, CNG/LNG, biodiesel, and hydrogen are all helping to move the sector towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

If no carbon reporting is required, but a truck operator wishes to improve their green credentials, HVO is the obvious immediate choice. Costing a little more than standard diesel, the use of HVO could be treated as a marketing, rather than operation cost in the short term.

Check out the list of publicly available CNG refuelling sites below. If your operation is near to one of these sites, or they are on a major route that your business uses, then opting for a CNG-powered truck or fleet could be the best move to improve your mid-term green aspirations. If you are looking to buy a used CNG truck then Truck Pages lists a number of used CNG Trucks for Sale here.

By embracing these options now, operators can gain both an environmental and competitive edge, all while preparing for the day when a nationwide electric refuelling network becomes reality.

CNG Fuels/Refuels Public CNG Truck Refuelling Network

CNG Fuels, Unit 3 Central Park, Central Avenue, Bristol, BS35 4DJ                     Dispensers:  14

CNG Fuels, 5 Beddow Way, Aylesford, ME20 7BT                                                     Dispensers: 12

Refuels  West of Orme View Lodges, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4PG                     Dispensers: 12

CNG Fuels Bellshill, 24 Townhead Avenue, Motherwell, ML1 4ZA              Dispensers: 10

CNG Fuels, Altofts Lane, Casleford, WF10 5PZ                                                         Dispensers: 10

Refuels Steel Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 5AE                                    Dispensers: 12

CNG Fuels Crewe, The Sidings, Off Weston Road, CW1 6BW                               Dispensers: 2

CNG Fuels Erdington, Standard Way, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 8DD              Dispensers: 6

CNG Fuels Knowsley, Off School Lane, Knowsley, Merseyside L34 9GT              Dispensers: 7

CNG Fuels Leyland, Wigan Road, Leyland, PR25 5X                                                Dispensers: 4

CNG Fuels Newark, Stephenson Way, Newark on Trent, NG24 2TQ                    Dispensers: 8

Newton Park, Coatham, Mundeville, Darlington, Berkshire, DL1 3NL                 Dispensers: 14

CNG Fuels Northampton, Red Lion Truck Stop, Weedon Road, NN7 4DE              Dispensers: 5

CNG Fuels Warrington, Skyline Drive, Burtonwood, WA5 3TP                               Dispensers: 12

CNG Fuels, J3 Business Park, Balby Carr Bank, Doncaster, DN4 8DE                Dispensers: 10

2 Caputhall Rd, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8AS                                                           Dispensers: 14