Royal Mail is expanding its low emission vehicles fleet, with the addition of 29 Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG) powered trucks.
Currently the company has two Bio-CNG fuelled trucks in operation, it expects to add the latest additions to its North West of England fleet in the coming weeks.
At 40 tonnes, the gas-powered trucks are a similar size to a typical Royal Mail HGV. They are designed to carry mail and equipment of all shapes and sizes and can be used on most UK roads and motorways.
The vehicles can travel up to 400 miles at a time and are designed to help Royal Mail transport letters and parcels securely, while reducing any associated carbon emissions.
The company added that in the UK, Bio-CNG fuel can be significantly cheaper than diesel. Operating from Warrington, Chorley and Preston, the trucks can use local CNG refuelling facilities.
Read more: ‘World’s largest’ low-carbon HGV refuelling station to open in UK this year
Gas powered vehicles were originally tested by Royal Mail in 2017. Following a successful trial, two trucks were introduced to its fleet on a permanent basis in 2019-20. Royal Mail estimated that these two trucks alone have saved it approximately 107 tonnes of CO2e annually.
James Baker, chief engineer and fleet director at Royal Mail, said: “As a company, we are committed to making changes to our operations that reduce our environmental impact.
“Bio-CNG is a significantly more cost effective and lower carbon alternative fuel to diesel for Heavy Goods Vehicles. These vehicles enable us to deliver large payloads of parcels in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.”
