Biomethane, HGVs, & The Role of UK Farming

Biomethane, while being in significant demand across the energy sector as a renewable gas, has been a developing source of crucial renewable fuel for low carbon transport.

This is a fuel that can muster significant weight in the decarbonisation of HGVs, an area of transport that has found difficulty in matching the wider progress seen with other electric vehicles. Here, biomethane can serve as a keystone in the bridge to electrification, providing respite for the grid and short to medium-term success in decarbonising the legacy fleet.

The carbon savings are impressive. Biomethane trucks can achieve upwards of 80% CO2 emission reductions compared to diesel, or even carbon negative emissions for certain feedstocks (Why it’s time to maximise the use of biomethane as a transport fuel | GreenFleet). With over 2000 Bio-CNG trucks on the roads, and 16 filling stations with a total daily capacity of 10,000 trucks, the potential for scaling up here is massive (Could the UK fuelling choice swing towards biomethane? | Motor Transport).

With over half a million HGVs in the UK, electrification will not happen overnight (16 Trucking Industry Statistics in the UK – 2025 Update | House Grail). This must be tackled holistically to get results quicker, which is where biomethane comes in. Now it is time to achieve this with greater clarity and long-term vision.

An adapted road decarbonisation strategy with a better-defined role for biomethane must be established for biogas producers and investors. The Government could signal support here through adapting HGV CO2 regulations to recognise the carbon-neutral biogenic nature of biomethane, raising RTFO targets beyond 2030, or considering tax relief on CNG/LNG Biogas at forecourts. This will allow biomethane supply chain and fleet operator stakeholders to feel secure in the long-term growth and position of the fuel in road decarbonisation.

While encouraging greater usage here brings the benefits of HGV/fleet carbon emission savings, it also gives UK farmers a path for the future to help produce this fuel.

This is a great opportunity for farmers to benefit from secure revenue streams and bolster the circular economy. Nurturing these vital domestic sources of supply can guarantee jobs, generate rural development, and produce a buffer against international shocks, where vulnerability can compromise achieving our GHG reduction targets.

The UK can, and should, be a biomethane superpower. With many farms across the country struggling to financially justify their operations, this could provide current and future farmers with the means to thrive.

Where the ONS report an ongoing farming crisis, with the highest ever rural business closures seeing 6,365 agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses shut down in the past 12 months, the Government cannot afford to ignore opportunities for the rural economy (Farming crisis: ONS reveals highest ever rural business closures – FarmingUK News).

Meanwhile, successful European policy clarity has demonstrated the potential to scale up biomethane production, where they have established an environment of confidence for farmers. France is connecting two new sites every week, which highlights where the UK is falling behind (British farmers can lead the biomethane revolution – Farmers Guide).

We must, then, be clear about the strategic position biomethane will play going forward in transport decarbonisation. Supporting biomethane’s varied uses can have a huge impact across multiple fronts. This is why we implore a longer-term strategic review of the part this fuel will play in the road to net-zero transport, and an acknowledgement of the pivotal role that UK agriculture can play in expediting this.

With greater support we can secure improved investment and de-risked decision making. This may provide a light at the end of the tunnel for many farmers, and help fleet operators join in the transition to net-zero much sooner.