September 6, 2021. Ireland is two steps closer to decarbonising the nation’s heavy vehicle transport sector, with the country’s third and fourth publicly-accessible, fast-fill compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, now open at Circle K’s forecourt at Clonshaugh in Dublin and Ballysimon Road in Limerick City.
Strategically located to support prominent haulier routes, the state-of-the-art stations have the capacity to fill 50 heavy good vehicles (HGVs) a day, with each fill taking no more than five minutes.
The new stations allow hauliers and fleet operators in the region to begin the journey to sustainable transport by switching their fuel from diesel to CNG today and ultimately transition to networked renewable gases, including biomethane and hydrogen, in the future.
Jonathan Diver, Senior Director Fuels at Circle K said: “We are excited to unveil the latest CNG stations at Circle K Clonshaugh and Circle K Ballysimon Road, further strengthening our natural gas capabilities alongside our Dublin Port and Cashel stations.”
Gas Networks Ireland’s Head of Commercial and Corporate Affairs, Ian O’Flynn, said: “Ireland’s commercial transport sector is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, but we’re on a journey with hauliers and forecourt operators to reduce emissions through natural gas today and renewable gas down the road.”
To help Ireland’s fleet operators and hauliers transition to cleaner, affordable CNG vehicles, Gas Networks Ireland has a CNG Vehicle Grant Scheme which provides grants of up to €5,000 for new CNG vehicles, up to maximum of €60,000 per business.
The Department of Transport has also launched a €3 million Alternatively Fueled Heavy Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme, which will cover between 40% and 60% of the price differential, with a maximum 20 vehicles or €500,000 available to any one applicant. Grants can be used towards the future purchase of more sustainable vehicles, including gas and electric vehicles.
