Hermes has placed the largest initial order of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in the UK, this year.
The parcel carrier will operate a fleet of HGV tractor units running on 100% renewable bio methane.
Hermes is also introducing 32 100% electric vans to service the central London area, inside the low emission zone.
The new electric fleet will be housed at Gemini Park in Beckton. The in-house site serves more than 100 delivery rounds inside the low emission zone.
The CNG for Hermes’s 30 new Iveco tractor units will be supplied by CNG Fuels. Each of these vehicles is expected to reduce the Hermes fleet’s Green House Gas emissions by more than 80% vs. a comparable Diesel vehicle, resulting in a reduction of 4,500 tons of CO2 per year.
The tractor units were introduced following a six-month trial and will be based at the Hermes Super hub in Rugby, which is near to the CNG refuelling station. Hermes is working towards reducing CO2 emissions by 50% by 2020. The addition of CNG and electric vehicles to the fleet will move Hermes closer to this target.
Martijn de Lange, CEO of Hermes UK, said: “We’re proud of our strides forward in sustainability as we become the first parcel carrier to invest in bio fuels for our fleet. This, plus the additional investment in our electric vehicles, will not only support our clients in achieving their sustainability goals, but also ultimately benefit people across the UK as we all look to reduce our carbon footprint. As a parcel carrier delivering within central London, we are committed to helping improve air quality in the capital and supporting London on its path to a zero emission future, so we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Transport for London.”
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Matt has been an automotive journalist for eight years. As senior staff writer he is responsible for the automotive content on Fleet News and also contributes to Automotive Management. Prior to this, Matt worked in the automotive industry for 10 years.
Joseph Conning - 21/01/2019 08:23
I work for Hermes in Warrington. We have these CNG units. They are the most awful awful things to drive. Lack of CNG fuelling stations, extremely poor range and an engine that is in my opinion dangerous in that upon setting off will suddenly lurch forwards almost violently. Touch the throttle...nothing, slightly more pressure and it will lurch forwards and caught me out the first time I took one out, I almost ran into the back of the vehicle in front. They dress these things up as if they are wonderful. What a load of cobblers. They really need to improve those engines and range, not to mention the appalling lack of CNG fuelling stations. I just wonder how long before the government latches on and hikes the tax on biomethane, and they will!