IVECO announced today that Primark, a leader in the British retail sector, has taken its Primark Cares initiative to the highway by rolling out a fleet of new natural gas-powered trucks for its UK transport operations. Having already taken delivery of new, higher capacity LSTs (Longer Semi Trailer) in August 2020, the new trucks form the next piece of Primark's emissions reduction journey.
10 new IVECO Stralis NP 460 (AS440S46T/P LNG) 4x2 tractor units have recently joined the Primark fleet, working day and night for stores and delivery hubs across the UK to prepare for the provisional re-opening of Primark stores in England and Wales on 12 April, and Scotland on 26 April. The company is busy preparing for its stores to re-open and the new vehicles are playing a vital role in ensuring Primark is ready to welcome customers back to stores.
The Natural Power trucks run solely on Bio-Liquified Natural Gas (Bio-LNG), a far cleaner alternative to traditional diesel fuels, reducing fuel consumption by up to 15%. Natural gas is currently the only immediately available low-emission alternative to diesel in the heavy segment, delivering Particulate Matter emissions 99% lower than diesel and 90% less NO2.
A major consideration that saw Primark choose Stralis NP, is the trucks' unique capability to offer a range of up to 1,600km between refills running solely on LNG. The combination of 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated transmission and advanced IVECO HI-CRUISE GPS-based predictive drive system offers unlimited sustainability without compromising on the driveability of a conventional diesel. The 460hp 12.9-litre CURSOR 13 Natural Power engine also offers the longest-in-class service intervals at 90,000km, minimising downtime for maximum working efficiency.
Primark has specified its trucks with the largest fuel tank capacity to enable this superior range, allowing its drivers supreme flexibility and dispelling any range anxieties. The company has worked closely with Gasrec to bring about this change. Drivers have been taken through an extensive education programme to ensure that health and safety guidelines are adhered to when refuelling. Bio-LNG is a safe, non-corrosive and non-toxic substance, but is stored at around 160 degrees centigrade below freezing.
Trucks will be fuelled at Europe's largest gas fuelling station, Gasrec's DIRFT (Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal) site at Crick in Northamptonshire. Capable of refuelling 700 trucks per day, it is situated just off the M1, a short 30-mile hop along the A14 to Primark's Distribution Centre in Islip.
The vehicles, supplied by Guest Truck & Van and operated on Primark's behalf by DHL, will run day and night. Trunking between Primark's regional distribution centres in Scotland and the Southwest takes place during night hours, while in daylight, the 190 UK stores are restocked. An added benefit of running a gas-powered fleet is that the trucks run considerably quieter than their diesel equivalents, producing just 71dB on the PIEK quiet truck scale. Primark's new trucks can operate in any urban areas in Quiet Mode without breaching any night-time urban noise restrictions.
The trucks have been expertly wrapped to match the paintwork of Primark's new trailers, featuring reflective graphics to pick out the Primark branding in a way that matches its high street storefronts. Graphics across the fuel tanks and doors denote the natural gas fuel and 'Primark Cares' heart.
Primark estimates each vehicle will cover 200,000km per year and on this basis, Gasrec predict that the 10 new trucks will reduce their annual CO2 emissions by an impressive 1,300-tonnes. Running on Gasrec's sustainably sourced biomethane Bio-LNG, this equates to a reduction of up to 85% CO2 emissions through the mass balance programme.
"We chose the IVECO Stralis NP for its ability to run purely on Bio-LNG, its impressive range, strong performance during vehicle trials and early feedback from drivers who appreciated its comfort and performance. We are really proud to bring these new high-quality trucks into our transport fleet and further boost the sustainability of our transport operations, as we continue to help make a more positive impact on the environment", commented Primark Regional Transport Manager, Ant Franks.
"This marks another milestone in the decarbonisation of the transport industry and I'm proud to see IVECO continuing to lead the charge", added Gareth Lumsdaine, IVECO UK's Heavy Business-line Director. "Another prominent brand choosing Stralis Natural Power to achieve such an intense workload shows a real belief in our technology and the change it will make to the industry. Respecting the environment as a business shows commitment and we're pleased to welcome Primark to the growing pioneering collective".
Source: IVECO UK