Royal Mail adds 29 bio-gas trucks to its fleet

120 years after it began experimenting with the motorised delivery of post, the Royal Mail fleet is looking towards a more sustainable transportation future by expanding its use of low emission vehicles, with the addition of 29 gas-powered trucks, fuelled by Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG), to its fleet.

Following the official announcement on 14 May 2021, the new trucks will be introduced to the Royal Mail fleet in the North West of England, in addition to the two already in operation. At 40 tonnes, the gas-powered trucks, fuelled by Bio-CNG, are a similar size to a typical Royal Mail Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV). They are well designed to carry mail and equipment of all shapes and sizes and can be used on most roads and highways.

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. Additionally, in the UK, Bio-CNG fuel can be significantly cheaper than diesel.

The new trucks will operate from Warrington, Chorley and Preston, where refuelling facilities are located nearby. Bio-CNG refuelling facilities are due to be expanded in locations across the UK in coming years.

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. It is estimated that these two trucks alone have saved the Company approximately 107 tonnes of CO2e annually.

According to Royal Mail, the use of Bio-CNG in a vehicle can reduce CO2 emissions by around 84 per cent, compared to an average diesel vehicle. Bio-CNG fuelled vehicles also offer a 99 per cent reduction in particulate matter, compared to their diesel equivalents.

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 (HGVs). These vehicles enable us to deliver large payloads of parcels in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.”

As far as tyres are concerned, Tyres & Accessories understands that the Royal Mail fleet is serviced by two companies. Garage-based work is taken care of by Michelin. And Nationwide Fleet Services (NFS) are the contracted tyre breakdown provider – covering the whole of the UK.