Leading consumer delivery specialist Hermes UK is adding a further 42 units to its fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled vehicles. The investment follows a successful 12-month trial which delivered carbon savings in excess of 4,000 tonnes and forms part of the company’s commitment to delivering ‘a premium service that doesn’t cost the earth.’
A total of 42 Iveco Stralis CNG tractor units will be added to the operation over the coming weeks, taking the total to 72 across the firm’s fleet. Once introduced, the new vehicles will account for more than 40% of Hermes’ first mile delivery fleet. These have been ordered from CNG Fuels, the only UK supplier of Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) approved biomethane.
Each vehicle will reduce CO2 emissions by over 80% when compared to a diesel Euro 6 vehicle. This will result in a reduction of 150 tons of CO2 per vehicle and 9,600 tons of CO2 across the 72 CNG vehicle fleet annually. Other benefits of the CNG vehicles include: 70% less NOX, 99% less particulate matter, 90% less NMHC and 88% less methane.
Jon Ormond, Director of Hub and Depot Operations at Hermes UK, said: “At Hermes we are committed to ‘delivering a premium service that doesn’t cost the earth’ which reflects both our industry leading cost proposition and sustainable approach to business. As part of this we are continuing to support pioneering alternative low carbon fuels to achieve our goal of slashing emissions. We will also be trialling DAF hydrogen tractor units next year and looking to expand our electric fleet outside of London.”
Peter Eaton, General Manager, CNG Fuels, said: “CNG Fuels are committed to helping our customers reach their low carbon goals through our growing UK network of public access Bio-CNG refuelling stations. Renewable & Sustainable Biomethane is currently the only mass-adoptable low-carbon solution for HGVs and we are thrilled Hermes will now have access to our Warrington Bio-CNG Station, the largest of its kind in Europe.”
Hermes has also undertaken a number of other initiatives as part of its sustainability drive. Earlier this year the company acquired 32 bespoke double-decker trailers which provided the extra capacity to dramatically reduce the number of miles its drivers travel by up to 1.5 million a year. The new trailers – tailored to Hermes’ exact requirements by Don-Bur – hold 33% more than a standard model and 12% more than the previous double-decker trailers.
