As part of the second round of its CNG Vehicle Fund, Gas Networks Ireland has awarded six transport companies €20,000 each towards the purchase of a natural gas vehicle. The Fund supports the purchase of CNG commercial vehicles including trucks, buses and vans. Grants to support the purchase of 33 vehicles have previously been awarded to 18 transport companies in Ireland as part of this scheme.
The CNG Vehicle Fund is supported by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Ireland and is co-financed by the European Union’s TEN-T Program under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as part of the Causeway Project.
“Transport accounts for over 20% of carbon emissions and almost a third of Ireland’s energy consumption. Only 3% of vehicles on Irish roads are HGVs, however they use 20% of Ireland’s transport energy. As the operator of Ireland’s gas network, we are leading the development of this new, cleaner transport network, to support Ireland in reducing its carbon emissions,” said Ian O’Flynn, Head of Commercial and Corporate Affairs at Gas Networks Ireland. “It is very encouraging that the Government recognizes the potential and opportunity for CNG in transport. The recently published Climate Action Plan calls for increased levels of CNG and outlines goals to deliver public CNG fueling stations.”
Niall Lord, Managing Director of Food Surplus Management Ltd. added, “We have being operating two CNG vehicles for almost a year now thanks to the funding from Gas Networks Ireland. We know we can reduce emissions and fuel costs and at the same time reduce our carbon footprint. Our experience to date with Scania CNG vehicles has been a very positive one.”
Source: Gas Networks Ireland
