Brit European buys into dual-fuel for JCB

Brit European Transport is investing in a fleet of 24 new dual-fuel vehicles to service a contract with long-term customer and construction equipment manufacturer JCB.

The firm, which has worked with JCB for 15 years, has just signed a new five-year deal with optional two-year extension to distribute finished JCB products from production sites in Staffordshire to dealers and export ports around the country.

The dual-fuel trucks, all Mercedes-Benz Actros diesel/compressed natural gas (CNG) 6x2 tractive units, are being brought into service as part of a joint effort to reduce carbon emissions by 25% in the next five years. All will be supplied in JCB yellow with dual Brit European/JCB branding. The first should be on the road by March, with the remainder arriving by the end of August.

It is anticipated the trucks, which will each run around 60,000 miles a year, will yield a 15% reduction in CO² emissions compared with standard diesel vehicles.

Brit European MD Graham Lackey said the '5+2' contract renewal with JCB was a key factor in the move. “Without the support and drive from JCB, we probably wouldn’t be where we are today on dual-fuel,” he said. “The understanding that significant investments like these need the support and long-term commitment of customers like JCB is critical.”

The firm is also investing in four new low-loader trailers from SDC and Chieftain for use on the JCB contract as well as 16 other dual-fuel Mercs  for use on other work.