UK Transport Secretary opens new refuelling station at UPS facility

Patrick McLoughlin, the UK's Transport Secretary, recently opened a brand new biomethane refuelling station at one of UPS's hubs within central England.

The newly introduced refuelling station is located at UPS's site in Tamworth, Staffordshire, with it being used by the parcel delivery company's 20 duel-fuel tractor vehicles, using a combination of diesel and biomethane - a renewable fuel.

George Willis, UPS's Managing Director for the UK, Ireland
and Nordics (left), with UK Secretary of State, Patrick
McLoughlin (right)

UPS has said the alternative fuel use that calculated a 40% decrease in carbon emissions and "very low" levels of air pollution. The vehicles are able to travel for longer distances and overnight.

The Director of Sustainability at UPS Europe, Peter Harris has commented: "The transport sector has very limited access to biomethane, as government incentives for producers tend to be preferential towards the energy sector where other alternatives more readily exist." Harris continued: "We hope [this] can encourage a discussion on how best to address this discrepancy."

Biomethane-powered vehicles were first introduced to the UK during the London 2012 Olympics, with UPS being the official logistics partner of the games. It was decided the company would incorporate its vehicles on a permanent basis within the UK following the Games.

McLoughlin commented, on opening the new station located in Tamworth: "I  am really pleased to see this in action here in Tamworth. We are keen to see more use of biogas, which is why we have extended tax incentives on all gas transport fuels. This will provide more support for those considering investing in these technologies."