Gas Ivecos hit mark for Primark
Clothing retailer Primark has invested in 10 new natural gas-powered Iveco trucks for its UK transport operations. They continue Primark’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, following the introduction of 15 new high-capacity Don-Bur longer semitrailers (LSTs) to the fleet last August.
The 10 new Stralis NP 460 (AS440S46T/P LNG) 4×2 tractor units run solely on Bio liquified natural gas (Bio-LNG), a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel fuels in terms of carbon emissions, NOx and particulates.
A major consideration in favour of the Stralis NP compared to other gas trucks, says Iveco, is a range of up to 1,600km between refills, running solely on LNG.
The combination of a 12-speed automated transmission and Iveco’s Hi-Cruse GPS-based predictive drive is claimed to retain the driveability of a conventional diesel. Iveco’s 460hp 12.9-litre Cursor 13 Natural Power engine also offers service intervals of 90,000km, minimising downtime for maximum working efficiency.
Primark has specified its trucks with the largest fuel tank capacity to enable this superior range, allowing its drivers flexibility and addressing any range anxieties. The company has worked closely with fuel provider Gasrec to bring about this change. Drivers have been taken through an extensive education programme to ensure that health and safety guidelines are adhered to when refuelling. Bio-LNG is a safe, non-corrosive and non-toxic substance, but is stored at around 160 degrees centigrade below freezing.
Trucks will be fuelled at Europe’s largest gas fuelling station, Gasrec’s DIRFT (Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal) site at Crick in Northamptonshire. Capable of refuelling 700 trucks per day, it is situated just off the M1, a short 30-mile hop along the A14 to Primark’s Distribution Centre in Islip.
The vehicles, supplied by Guest Truck & Van and operated on Primark’s behalf by DHL, will run day and night. Trunking between Primark’s regional distribution centres in Scotland and the south-west takes place during night hours, while in daylight, the 190 UK stores are restocked.
An added benefit of running a gas-powered fleet is that the trucks run considerably quieter than their diesel equivalents, producing just 71dB on the PIEK quiet truck scale. Primark’s new trucks can operate in any urban areas in Quiet Mode without breaching any night-time urban noise restrictions.
The trucks have been wrapped to match the paintwork of Primark’s new trailers, featuring reflective graphics to pick out the Primark branding in a way that matches its high street storefronts. Graphics across the fuel tanks and doors denote the natural gas fuel and ‘Primark Cares’ heart.
A full suite of exterior cameras with an internal monitor ensures the drivers can see just as well as they will be seen, while a front and side scan system warns of any hidden obstacles or pedestrians during urban manoeuvres.
Additionally, an automatically adjusting Aerodyne Global Aeromatic air deflector pushes air up and over the near five-metre-high trailers, reducing drag to optimise fuel efficiency.
Primark estimates each vehicle will cover 200,000km per year and on this basis, Gasrec predicts that the 10 new trucks will reduce their annual CO2 emissions by 1,300 tonnes. Running on Gasrec’s sustainably sourced biomethane Bio-LNG, this equates to a reduction of up to 85 per cent CO2 emissions through the mass balance programme.
Primark’s regional transport manager Ant Franks said: “We chose the Iveco Stralis NP for its ability to run purely on Bio- LNG, its impressive range, strong performance during vehicle trials and early feedback from drivers who appreciated its comfort and performance. We are really proud to bring these new high-quality trucks into our transport fleet and further boost the sustainability of our transport operations, as we continue to help make a more positive impact on the environment.
“We’d also like to thank Finch Signs, Gasrec, Iveco and DHL for their support. Guest Trucks has offered a first-class service with Bal Singh going above and beyond to guarantee a seamless introduction of these trucks.”
Gareth Lumsdaine, Iveco UK’s heavy business-line director, said: “This marks another milestone in the decarbonisation of the transport industry and I’m proud to see Iveco continuing to lead the charge.
“Another prominent brand choosing Stralis Natural Power to achieve such an intense workload shows a real belief in our technology and the change it will make to the industry. Respecting the environment as a business shows commitment and we’re pleased to welcome Primark to the growing pioneering collective.”
Primark also recently intro-duced 15 new Don-Bur double-deck Longer Semi Trailers into its fleet. These trailers are 2.05m longer than normal and can carry twice the volume of stock as the company’s existing trailers, meaning 1,600 fewer trailer journeys annually.
Iveco is currently the only manufacturer to offer a 100 per cent natural gas-powered vehicle with a 6×2 axle configuration.
Committed to spearheading mass reductions in carbon emissions within the transport industry, Iveco expects biomethane to play a major role in its future. By incorporating aspects of carbon sequestration to draw carbon dioxide away from the atmosphere through pioneering a circular economy approach, the company expects bio-methane to open the door to negative greenhouse gas output.
Meanwhile, Iveco also announced last month that it had signed a letter of intent with American fuel-cell truck specialist Nikola and gas infrastructure supplier OGE to establish a business structure for transporting hydrogen from production sources to storage facilities and filling stations in Germany, to support fuel-cell powered trucks.
