Argos has put the first of five gas-powered Scania tractor units into action, with the remaining four joining the fleet later this month.
Designed to run solely on compressed or liquefied natural gas, the trucks are plated at 40 tonnes gross vehicle weight and boast Scania’s nine-litre Euro-6 engine, delivering 350bhp.
Claiming a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 70% compared with the diesel-equivalent, plus a range of 450km, the ultra-low emission vehicles will initially run on daily return-to-base operations. That should change when refuelling infrastructure in the UK expands. The Scanias will also operate as part of Innovate UK’s low carbon truck trial.
Argos Fleet Manager David Landy said, “The trucks are a unique manufacturer’s offer, as opposed to an aftermarket adaption, which made our purchasing decision easy. The research and development process Scania has undertaken in the product, along with a 10 year duty-differential promise from the government, gives us a great deal of confidence in gas-powered operation.”
Martin Hay, UK Truck Sales Director for Scania GB, said, “We are delighted that Argos has become the first UK operator to put our dedicated gas-powered trucks into operation. Today, there are nearly 4,000 gas-powered Scania vehicles in service around the world.”
