Guidance

CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles

Published 1 March 2010

1. Introduction for using CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles on roads

For a vehicle to be used on the public roads in Great Britain it must comply with insurance, licensing (tax) and registration requirements. It must also comply with applicable construction regulations. Primarily these are the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C&U), as amended, and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, as amended. Details of where to obtain the C&U regulations are available. These regulations are made under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (the ‘Act’).

However, section 44 of the act allows the Secretary of State to authorise the road-use of vehicles that do not fully comply with regulations under section 41. He may make orders that apply generally to special types of vehicles or that apply more specifically to particular vehicles or vehicles of particular persons. In relation to both types of order, restrictions or conditions may be specified by or under the order and the order may (subject to restrictions or conditions) require the observance of regulations made under section 41 of the act with modifications or exceptions.

The road use of vehicles propelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) is permitted by an order made under section 44 of the act – The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003.

2. The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003

The GB legislation permitting the use of vehicles using CNG as a fuel for their propulsion is set out in the Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003, Statutory Instrument number 1198 (commonly known as the STGO). Article 56 and schedule 12 are the relevant sections in this order permitting the use of CNG propelled vehicles. Vehicles must meet the authorisation requirements set out in schedule 12 at all times when used on the road and similarly, any modifications to the system must not breach the requirements of this schedule. No specific qualifications are required to maintain such systems other than any requirements that may be specified in schedule 12. Details of where to obtain the STGO are available.

3. Future requirements

The current GB legislation permitting the use of CNG vehicles is set out. However, in April 2009 new regulations to harmonise the minimum European safety and environmental standards for all large vehicles (Type Approval) came into force and will take effect over a 4 year period. These regulations mean that most CNG vehicles will be able to obtain Whole Vehicle Type Approval if the fuel tanks have been granted an approval to UNECE Regulation 110. Given these requirements, it is anticipated that our national legislation will be amended to recognise regulation 110 and, likewise, regulation 115 (for systems fitted by a third party converter) but only in so far as vehicle construction is concerned.

4. The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986

These regulations are not available on the internet and have been amended many times which makes it difficult to piece together the latest form of the regulations. However these regulations are available in a consolidated format in most city reference libraries, from companies who publish law. One example is Sweet and Maxwell who publish the ‘The encyclopaedia of road traffic law and practice’. This publication is continually updated and Volume 4 contains a full version of the above-mentioned regulations in consolidated format. Other possible suppliers include InterRegs, who charge around £160 for a fully consolidated version of the Construction and Use Regulations.

Alternatively, it is possible to purchase printed copies of the statutory instruments that comprise the regulations from the TSO at the following address:

The Stationery Office
TSO Orders/Post Cash Dept
PO Box 29
Norwich
NR3 1GN

Tel: 0870 600 5522
Fax: 0870 600 5533

e-mail: customer.services@tso.co.uk

Online ordering: http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp

Customer service: http://www.tso.co.uk/contact/customerservices/

5. The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003

This order is freely available on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website.

Alternatively, printed copies can be obtained from the TSO.

5.1 Legal information

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