Climate change is being affected by transport emissions. In the UK, there are over 38.4 million vehicles registered. The Net zero emission target by 2050 is now in place, so there is pressure to reduce harmful emissions on our roads. As a result of this, the UK government is seeking to implement measures to help us reduce our carbon footprint and clean up our air pollution problem.
However, these vehicle emissions aren’t just affecting climate change. 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, we explore the main ways that automotive energy is changing.
On the highway to zero
Off grid gas such as LPG is a good way to get our fuel. Luckily, the way we fuel vehicles is set to change in the next 20 years too and that is thanks to the advancements of LPG Autogas and the rise of electric vehicles. 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 vehicles 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.
Now, our most polluted cities are trying to implement change. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, introduced the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) on 08th 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.
These types of encouragements can help reduce the current reliance we have on the fuels such as petrol and diesel. However, how do these alternatives add up?
The evolutionary movement of electric
Electric vehicles aren’t a new concept. Their compelling environmental and air quality benefits mean that this idea is now becoming more popular. This has all changed in the last decade, with the development of advanced electric vehicle technology that has given electric vehicles mainstream credibility and appeal. Due to the likes of especially Generation Z drivers, the demand for electric fuelled vehicles has skyrocketed. 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, unfortunately, a chronic shortage of public charging points is one of the biggest impediments to many going electric s there is a fear of running out of power and the risk of not being able to recharge on the go.
Take a look at: LPG – An interim fuel
While electric cars steadily increase in the market, bear in mind other fuels. 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.
Autogas is a popular choice for drivers who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint fuel costs. 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.
The link between LPG and transport
Aside from LPG, other alternatives that deliver an even greater reduction in emissions are available. 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).
