The UK’s first two gas-powered rigid trucks have gone into service with Howard Tenens, one of the country’s largest privately-owned logistics companies. The firm has taken delivery of two 26-tonne Scanias, powered solely by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The trucks are entering service as a part of the Low Emission Freight and Logistics Trial, funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles in partnership with Innovate UK. Howard Tenens is a participant in the trial and the new Scania vehicles will be the first dedicated gas trucks to be included in the study.
Although based in the Swindon area the vehicle will deliver to a range of customers in urban areas including London, and will be measured over the course of 18 months on factors such as operating cost, range, reliability and emissions. During the trial the vehicles will switch to biogas for a further 75% reduction in carbon emissions.
Ben Morris, executive director at Howard Tenens, commented, “Howard Tenens’ aim is to be a leader in sustainable logistics and actively embrace innovation and new technologies. This project clearly demonstrates our commitment to this aim and that we are constantly striving to find new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and that of our customers.”
Howard Tenens worked closely in collaboration with Don Bur, who supplied a teardrop design body to reduce aerodynamic drag, and Scania, who developed and provided the vehicle chassis in a short timeframe.
David Burke, Specialist Sales Executive, commented, “By delivering a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, dedicated gas-fuelled operation forms a key part of Scania’s strategy to drive the shift towards more sustainable transport solutions. In addition to being exceptionally clean, gas vehicles are considerably quieter than their diesel counterparts and are therefore ideally suited to operating in urban environments.”
