Pall-EX is trialling its first truck powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).
The Volvo FM LNG tractor unit combines LNG with a traditional diesel engine to create greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
The unit emits 20% less CO₂ than its diesel counterpart and if rolled out across its whole fleet would help Pall-Ex reach the Department for Transport’s Road to Zero target to reduce HGV emissions by 15% against 2015 levels by 2025.
The pallet network has already upgraded its fleet of forklift trucks with a £250,000 investment in 45 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
Head of Operations at Pall-Ex, Paul Pegg, said, “We are learning and gaining as much as possible from the trial. This truck is a new opportunity that can benefit our operation and the environment, so we are very keen to understand how it can fit our model, so we can utilise it within the Pall-Ex network.
“Since we started using the vehicle, the fuel cost savings are remarkable, just with one vehicle. We are due to meet with our vehicle supplier, MRS and Volvo to discuss the opportunities for the future, which is exciting.”
As a result of the successful trial, the operations team is now set to test another low emissions vehicle, a new LNG model from Scania.
The Scania truck does not use a diesel engine at all, running purely on liquefied gas to drastically reduce running costs and emissions.
