London, UK: Ocado has added six Iveco Stralis compressed natural gas fuelled tractors to its fleet with 14 more due to enter service in September.
By the end of the year, Ocado will have 168 tractors, a third of which will be Iveco Stralis running on Compressed Natural Gas.
The trucks are on a five-year operating lease through Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions and save the business around £7,000 per truck, per year, and giving a two-year payback against an equivalent diesel truck. The Stralis trucks are maintained by Iveco dealers on 5-year repair and maintenance contracts.
The majority of the gas trucks run from Ocado’s Hatfield site where last year it partnered with Gasrec becoming the first retailer to self-fund its own CNG refuelling station. This on-site station is linked directly to the grid and will be maintained and supported by Gasrec as part of a 10-year agreement.
The latest batch of gas-powered trucks are based at Ocado’s Dorden, North Warwickshire site where Ocado plans a second refuelling station.
For now, the vehicles are used on routes that allow them to use Gasrec’s LNG and CNG refuelling site at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.
The Ocado trucks have Aeromatic air management kit from Aerodyne Global and an Alfie catwalk from SB Components. The roof-mounted air deflector automatically adjusts for best air flow over the truck and trailer when switching between 4.2m high single-deck and 5m double-decker trailers.
“We had the desire to look at how we could begin to move away from diesel and the first time we saw the Iveco, we knew it was a game changer in terms of gas technology”, said Graham Thomas, fleet operations manager, Ocado.
“We chose CNG as we didn’t necessarily need the extended range offered by liquified gas, and in terms of a refuelling experience, CNG has much more in common with diesel. It’s an easier transition for the drivers, and in terms of health and safety, it allowed us to adopt the changes quickly and with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.”
Ocado says the gas is currently being supplied at a minimum of 50% biomethane meaning significant reductions in CO2 output, up to 68% across the fleet calculated from the total amount of biomethane used. The mix of biomethane will increase, making further inroads to cleaner transport.
“It’s great to see big businesses such as Ocado pushing ahead with the uptake of natural gas-powered long-haul trucks,” said Gareth Lumsdaine, heavy business-line director, Iveco.
“Our team works closely with operators to help them overcome any barriers they may have around change. With high profile companies such as Ocado leading the way, it’s all the more exciting to be at the forefront of gas technology. Together, we are making substantial in-roads to show big businesses and the transport industry as a whole how to make an important change and respect the environment.”
