UK’s first biomethane bus launches

The consortium behind the new bus is led by UEA’s Low Carbon Innovation Centre (LCIC) and includes leading independent bus operator Anglian Bus, bus manufacturer Optare plc, and engine conversion specialists Hardstaff Group of Nottingham.

The dual-fuel vehicle is a standard Optare Solo single-deck diesel midibus from the Anglian Bus fleet. Originally powered entirely by diesel, the Mercedes-Benz engine has been adapted to run for 60-80 per cent of the time on clean, low-carbon biomethane. Biomethane is chemically identical to the methane in natural gas but it is made by bacterial action on biowastes. Biomethane is extracted from landfill sites or from biogas produced in purpose-built anaerobic digestion facilities.

The scientists believe that the bus will reduce pollutant emissions and greenhouse gas emissions by around half and that the technology will be rolled out to bus fleets across the country and further afield.

Project leader Dr Bruce Tofield said: “Dual-fuel use is a very attractive option. The vehicle can still run on diesel, providing flexibility, but most of the time is running on biomethane gas which is a much cleaner and less polluting fuel. In particular, the cost of conversion of a diesel bus to dual-fuel use is a small fraction of the cost of a new natural gas bus. Conversion to dual-fuel use is potentially a viable option for most if not all diesel buses in the UK – and, indeed, across Europe and more widely.”

The benefits of using biomethane as a fuel include, a reduction in particulate and NOx emissions levels of around half compared with diesel, reduced operating costs on a cost-per-mile basis, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of around half as a result of using methane from landfill sites, food and agricultural waste.

David Pursey, chairman of Anglian Bus, said: “Anglian has always tried to be a leader in environmental matters and worked with UEA to demonstrate the benefits of biodiesel in the Civitas programme. We are really pleased to have the first gas-powered dual-fuel bus in the UK in our fleet and look forward to working with our partners to demonstrate the benefits of dual-fuel operation on biomethane.”

The bus was launched at last week's LCV 2009 low carbon vehicle technology exhibition held in Bedfordshire.