DHL replacing 20 diesel trucks on M&S fleet with bio-LNG tractor units

DHL Supply Chain is introducing 20 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucks into its M&S fleet, replacing 20 diesel trucks.

The new Volvo FH Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tractor units will support both DHL’s GoGreen plan and M&S’ Plan A, which focuses on building a more sustainable future.

The new bio-LNG units follow DHL Supply Chain first delivery of 13 Volvo LNG trucks which arrived in January this year.

All are equipped with Globetrotter cabs and specified with 155kg LNG tanks for a maximum range of 1,000km (621 miles). The latest 20 trucks will operate across the M&S fleet in Peterborough, Swindon and Castle Donington.

Gavin Murdoch, MD of transport at DHL Supply Chain, said: “As an industry leader, we have a responsibility to demonstrate innovation and initiative by providing sustainable solutions for our customers.

“Employing alternative fuel vehicles is an important part of our GoGreen mission and net zero ambition, and bio-LNG is a cleaner and more sustainable option to significantly reduce carbon emissions.”

The new vehicles will deliver up to 80% reduction in carbon emissions when fuelled with bio-LNG and 10-20% with fossil gas. It is projected that, by replacing 20 diesel trucks with bio-LNG, carbon emissions in the M&S fleet will be reduced by 2,200 tonnes a year.

DHL Supply Chain has been a long-term strategic partner for M&S and currently provides warehousing and transport support for M&S Clothing and Home.

Tim Greenwood, head of transport at Marks & Spencer, said: “We are committed to reducing our environmental impact in line with our Plan A sustainability action plan.

“It’s important to us that our partners’ values and ambitions align with ours and that’s one of the reasons we have a long-standing relationship with DHL.

“Replacing diesel trucks for brand new bio-LNG vehicles is a good step forward in reducing our carbon emissions.”

The new FH LNGs use small amounts of diesel to initiate ignition of the air-fuel mixture. This enables the Volvo G13C engine to deliver the same 460 hp and 2,300 Nm of torque as its diesel-only counterpart.

DHL is accelerating its investment in gas trucks and aims to have more than 500 gas powered vehicles operating across its fleet by 2025.