The Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies says logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel Ltd will trial the effectiveness of low-emissions heavy-goods vehicles as part of large fleets with demanding-duty cycles.
The project managed by Cenex is part funded by Innovate UK’s Low-Emission Freight and Logistics Project.
The operation will measure the effectiveness of dedicated petrol and dual-fuel direct injection methane-diesel trucks in completing demanding-duty cycles for consumer brands such as Whitbread, owner of Costa Coffee and Premier Inn, and Virgin.
Kuehne + Nagel will trial 29 dedicated gas and direct-injection, dual-fuel methane/diesel trucks. The trucks will refuel with liquid biomethane, from a depot-based liquefied biomethane (LBM) station. Liquefied biomethane is a sustainable and renewable fuel derived from waste.
The trucks promise to reduce total cost of ownership and deliver emissions savings. Producing less CO2, NOX and particulate matter, gas-powered trucks are particularly attractive to fleets operating in urban areas, as seven UK cities will introduce air-quality zones by 2020.