The new addition follows the company’s recently announced plans to transition at least 5% of its fleet from diesel to cleaner fuels every year.
Supplied by Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland’s national fleet team, the new additions will include 12 Volvo FM Globetrotter LNG 6×2 tractor units and three FH LNG units to be used for Gregory’s milk transhipment operation.
The company began introducing LNG trucks to its fleet 18 months ago as part of its sustainability drive.
Stating that bio-LNG is the most sustainable option on the market, Andrew Chapple, Director of Fleet, Property and Procurement, Gregory Distribution, said, “Compared with diesel, these trucks offer the same driveability, reliability and service intervals; plus, they are around 50% quieter too, which brings additional benefits from both a driver and delivery perspective.”
Expected to clock up 200,000km per year on its milk shipment runs, the FM’s also meet Transport for London’s three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating, allowing them to enter Greater London from 2024.
Built to a high spec, the vehicles will utilise Volvo’s G13C engine, capable of delivering the same 460 hp (horsepower) and 2,300 Nm (Newton metres) of torque as a standard 460 hp diesel.
A skid-mounted bio-LNG refuelling facility at Gregory’s Cullompton base will handle truck fuelling.
The company is working with Gasrec to accommodate further bio-LNG truck fuelling operations by planning to install a larger four-bay station.