Stobart and BOC funding to boost dual-fuel truck market

Stobart Group’s transport and distribution division Eddie Stobart has been testing a small fleet of Volvo dual-fuel vehicles, where liquid natural gas (LNG) replaces up to 90 per cent of the diesel fuel used to drive the engine.

The programme uses standard Volvo engines, mated with a specialist dual-fuel management system. In the event that the system runs out of LNG, the engine switches automatically to normal diesel mode.

Despite the environmental benefits that this new technology offers, Eddie Stobart’s ability to increase the vehicle fleet requires considerable investment, not only in the vehicles themselves, but also in the specialist LNG refueling facilities, of which only a small number exist in the UK at present.

The funding provided by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) will be matched by an investment from Eddie Stobart. This will enable its fleet of Volvo dual-fuel truck units to be increased and allow BOC to install an LNG refuelling station at one of Eddie Stobart’s regional hubs, with access available to other dual-fuel vehicle operators.