John Lewis Partnership commits to diesel-free HGV fleet by 2028

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) will phase out diesel-powered HGVs by 2028.

This will see the business introducing more than 500 biomethane-powered lorries across its Waitrose & Partners and John Lewis & Partners fleet.

Once the fleet is fully converted, the move away from diesel will save more than 49,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

JLP has been trialling gas-powered trucks since 2015 as a low-carbon alternative to diesel, with 61 already in operation or about to be delivered as part of the DfT's Low Emission Freight and Logistics Trial.

The trial will also see six Waitrose & Partners delivery trucks testing zero-emission refrigeration technology.

Justin Laney, partner & general manager of central transport, John Lewis Partnership, said: “We have been pioneering the adoption of long-distance biomethane trucks in the UK and scaling this up to our entire heavy truck fleet will deliver significant environmental and operational benefits.

“Five biomethane trucks produce the same emissions as one diesel lorry and they are also much quieter, helping reduce not only greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution but also noise pollution in our cities.”

JLP sources its renewable biomethane from CNG Fuels, which is poised to open a new public-access filling station this autumn off junction 16 of the M1 in Northampton - near the retailer's Magna Park headquarters.

Speaking during last week’s Green GB week, Claire Perry, minister for energy and clean growth, said: “The UK has led the world in cutting emissions whilst growing our economy - with clean growth driving incredible innovation and creating hundreds of thousands of high quality jobs.

“I’m delighted to see how many more businesses and organisations such as the John Lewis Partnership are seizing this multi-billion pound opportunity to energize their communities to tackle the very serious threat of climate change.”

• John Lewis & Partners will be speaking at next month's Freight in the City Expo on 6 November about its emissions-reduction work at its flagship Oxford Street store. Book your free place today!