Gregory Distribution is to power its milk transport operation with Bio-LNG following the arrival this week of 12 new Volvo FM Globetrotter LNG 6x2 tractor units at its Cullompton depot.
Supplied by Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland’s national fleet team, the new FMs, which are each expected to clock-up 200,000 km per year for the next five years, were chosen for their payload advantage of nearly 700kg over the FH, making them suitable for hauling heavy milk tankers.
The trucks will be fuelled from a skid-mounted Bio-LNG refuelling facility at Cullompton with plans in place with Gasrec to install a larger four-bay station on the site, as the company’s biomethane-powered truck fleet continues to grow.
The FM LNGs are joined by a further three new FH LNGs for its Avonmouth depot, increasing the number of gas-powered Volvos in the Gregory Distribution fleet to 35.
These new additions are part of wider plans by the company to transition at least 5% of its fleet from diesel to cleaner fuels each year.
Andrew Chapple, Gregory Distribution director of fleet, property and procurement, said: “We put our first LNG trucks on the road 18 months ago and the reduction in carbon emissions have been clear to see.
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“There is a growing expectation from our customers to help them in their own sustainability drive, and these Volvos are the perfect solution.
“For long-distance haulage, Bio-LNG is the most sustainable option on the market today and our drivers have welcomed the transition. 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.”
Gregory Distribution has specified the FMs to meet Transport for London’s three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating.
Each FM features Volvo’s intelligent I-See predictive cruise control, electrically controlled air-conditioning with sun sensor, remote central locking, twin armrests on the driver’s seat, DAB radio, satellite navigation, rain sensing windscreen wipers and static corner lights.
Other options include Alcoa Dura-Bright aluminium rims and Michelin X Line Energy steer and pusher axle tyres, and X Multi Energy fitments on the drive axle, for low rolling resistance and maximum range.
The new vehicles, which are finished in Gregory Distribution’s chocolate brown livery, are powered by Volvo’s G13C engine which delivers the same 460 hp and 2,300 Nm of torque as a standard 460 hp diesel.
l For an extended feature on gas trucks, see p12 of our 17 January edition
