The consultation on the Government’s Clean Air Strategy, released on the 22nd May, closed today. Responding to the consultation the Natural Gas Vehicle Network, (NGVN) believe the strategy to be too weak and lacking in resolve.

The Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA), the UK’s trade body for AD has this week become a member of the Natural Gas Vehicle Network (NGVN) who promote natural gas vehicles as a transport solution, particularly in the HGV sector.

Today’s publication of the highly anticipated ‘Road to Zero’ strategy shows that the Government is becoming increasingly aware of the potential of natural gas as a means to decarbonise transport, especially when it comes to heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Yesterday, 28th March 2018, the Government announced a 10% reduction to the rates paid by hauliers of less polluting lorries, to encourage the take up of lower emitting vehicles, such as those that use natural gas as fuel.

Having already been defeated in two court battles over air pollution, today the Government suffered a third defeat, with the judge not only ruling in ClientEarth’s favour, but declaring the government’s lack of action on the matter unlawful.

Nine member companies of the Natural Gas Vehicle Network (NGV Network) have written an open letter to Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, to ask for clarity on the Government’s developing Road to Zero strategy which could have wide-ranging implications for key transport policies in the coming years. The letter highlights members’ concerns that the strategy is being developed using old data and flawed models which are used to compare conventional petrol and diesel vehicles with cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas.