Why Biomethane & Natural Gas in Transport?
Biomethane & Natural Gas
How can Biomethane & Natural Gas be used in transport?
Biomethane and natural gas can be used as vehicle fuels and are available in two forms:
- CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and/or bioCNG (Compressed Biomethane):
Biomethane and/or natural gas is compressed to around 200 bar. This makes it suitable for trucks, buses, vans and light duty vehicles. - LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and/or bioLNG (Liquefied Biomethane):
Biomethane and/or natural gas is cooled to –162°C until it becomes a liquid. Thanks to its higher energy density, LNG and bioLNG are especially well suited for long haul, heavy duty transport and some shipping use cases.
In both cases, the “bio” prefix simply indicates that the fuel is derived from 100% biomethane instead of fossil natural gas, offering significantly lower lifecycle emissions while remaining fully compatible with the same infrastructure and engines.
How can (bio)CNG and (bio)LNG reduce emissions in transport?
Research on renewable gases for heavy-duty transport indicates that biomethane can cut greenhouse gas emissions. Independent analyses indicate that biomethane can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Why can (bio)CNG and (bio)LNG be a practical choice for vehicles?
Beyond possible emission reductions, (bio)CNG and (bio)LNG can deliver clear operational advantages for drivers and fleet operators.
- Vehicles refuel quickly using established refuelling technology, enabling high vehicle availability and minimal disruption to daily operations.
- Biomethane engines also run more quietly than diesel, improving driving comfort and reducing noise in urban and residential areas.
- From heavy-duty trucks, city buses, vans and passenger cars, (bio)CNG and (bio)LNG support diverse transport needs while offering driving ranges comparable to conventional vehicles.
- A network of refuelling stations is already in place in many countries, and new stations can be deployed by connecting to a grid or supplying locally produced biomethane to refuelling sites.
- Locally produced biomethane strengthens energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuels, helping ensure reliable access to energy for essential and public service fleets.
- Producing biomethane from organic waste in a closed system, refuels uncontrolled releases of methane into the atmosphere. It also supports a circular economy and creates local economic value.
How does refueling work for (bio)CNG & (bio)LNG?
(bio)CNG vehicles are refueled using a secure nozzle system that is similar in use and duration to conventional fuel, making the process familiar and easy for drivers.
Where can you refuel (bio)CNG or (bio)LNG at TotalEnergies?
You can refuel (bio)CNG and (bio)LNG at a network of public stations operated by TotalEnergies and its partners.
What are Biomethane & Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a fossil gas extracted from underground geological formations. It is mainly composed of methane (CH4) and is naturally colourless and odourless.