Natural gas is still an abundant resource that can be utilised as LNG to act as an alternative fuel source to traditional fuels. On emissions alone they offer a welcome change, producing 40% less carbon dioxide than other non-renewable fuels making it one of the cleanest fossil fuels available. Plus, with LNG being clean burning and bio-LNG being created from organic waste, CO2 emissions can be reduced up to 100%.

A huge benefit is that it’s imported into Europe and the UK from several markets around the globe, meaning it’s not expected to see cost increases like can currently be seen with electricity. Nor is it connected with the price of oil, so it can result in being 10 – 25% cheaper than diesel depending on your market.

For HGV drivers, LNG doesn’t take away from the driving experience or the performance of the vehicle but in fact offers one very important positive: they are compliant with current and expected future emission standards. Not only will this mean that vehicles fuelled by LNG should be able to enter environmental zones toll-free, but they will also play a huge part in delivering a net zero 2050.

One additional benefit, especially over the festive period, is LNG engines are 50% quieter than diesel engines, meaning they’re within territory for a peak quiet certification for a peak Quiet Truck in Silent mode of 71dB(A). This means that loading times can be more flexible to provide a greater quality of life in city centres, as well as being an improvement for late-night holiday deliveries to not disturb quieter areas.

If you’re planning on getting your festive food delivered to your home, it’s likely it was delivered by a fleet employing LNG as its chosen fuel. Major supermarkets have been investing in LNG, and in the UK alone, two of the giants, Tesco and Asda, have both made the switch.

This trend has continued throughout Europe with Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona, EDEKA in Germany, and Dutch chain Albert Heijn improving their efforts to employ the use of LNG in their fleets. Lidl is another chain that has been pushing for alternative gases within its fleet, employing both LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel their delivery services in Switzerland.

Beyond supermarkets, major international delivery companies are investing more in alternative fuels like LNG. DHL has forecast a reduction in carbon emissions by 2,200 tonnes through replacing 20 diesel vehicles with LNG specifically for its M&S fleet.

Amazon has become a powerhouse in deliveries globally and in 2021 added 1,000 CNG trucks to their European fleet, showing how prevalent the shift towards these alternative fuels has become. Evri and UPS have followed suit and have begun investing heavily in LNG to expand the eco-approach to transport logistics. This means that many of the parcels delivered to you this winter ready to give to family, friends, and loved ones could be shipped or delivered by a vehicle utilising an LNG engine.