Plans revealed for West Lothian fuelling station for eco-friendly trucks

CNG Fuels Ltd wants to build the facility for bio-fuel vehicles to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint

Planning permission is being sought for a new fuelling station for bio-fuel vehicles in Livingston to help local businesses embrace a “low carbon future.”

CNG Fuels Ltd is seeking permission from West Lothian Council to construct a Bio-CNG vehicle fuelling station comprising fuel pump islands, plant compound, warehouse/workshop, alterations to access, parking, landscaping and associated development near Caputhall Road at Deans Industrial Estate Livingston.

Bio-fuel is more sustainable than many existing energy supplies and CNG Fuels Ltd are the leading operator of bio-compressed natural gas. It runs Europe's at Warrington in England.

The company said the proposals will help local businesses in their transition to a low carbon future as they invest in modern, more environmentally friendly natural gas-powered vehicles and allow them to take advantage of the significant economic and environmental benefits Bio-CNG offers.

This includes lower operational costs, quieter vehicles, significantly reduced CO2 and NOx emissions when compared to diesel and a more sustainable, 100 percent renewable fuel source.

A spokesperson said: “To meet this demand, CNG Fuels are seeking to develop a 14 fuel pump island facility, which given the strategically important location of the site, includes a workshop/warehouse to assist with the management and operation of CNG Fuel’s existing and future planned estate across Scotland.”

Bio-CNG is a renewable energy source produced from food waste, which has the additional benefit of reducing a vehicle’s CO2 equivalent emissions by as much as 85 percent, NO2 emissions by up to 75 percent and noise by around 50 percent, compared to a diesel vehicle.

The application states no gas is produced on site and because the gas is extracted from the pipeline system as required, only a limited amount is required to be stored on site at any one time.

The site will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will be unmanned, monitored remotely by CCTV and restricted to use by CNG Ltd customers only. Pre-registered drivers only will be able to activate the pumps by fob automation.