The FM LNGs are joined by a further three new FH LNGs for its Avonmouth depot, increasing the number of gas-powered Volvos in the fleet to 35, with recently announced plans by the company to transition at least five per cent of its fleet from diesel to cleaner fuels every year.
Supplied by Volvo Trucks UK and Ireland’s national fleet team, the new FMs offer a payload advantage of nearly 700kg over the FH, making them perfect for hauling laden milk tankers around the clock.
The most sustainable option on today’s market
Andrew Chapple, director of fleet, property and procurement for Gregory Distribution, said: “We put our first LNG trucks on the road 18 months ago and the reduction in carbon emissions has been clear to see.
“There is a growing expectation from our customers to help them in their own sustainability drive, and these Volvos are the perfect solution. For long-distance haulage, Bio-LNG is the most sustainable option on the market today and our drivers have welcomed the transition.
“Compared with diesel, these trucks offer the same driveability, reliability and service intervals; plus, they are around 50 per cent quieter too – which brings additional benefits from both a driver and delivery perspective.”
Meeting Greater London standards
Gregory Distribution has specified the FMs to meet Transport for London’s three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating – ensuring they meet the minimum requirement to enter Greater London from 2024.
Each FM has been built to a high specification, featuring four options packs designed to increase fuel efficiency and driver appeal. These add key features include Volvo’s intelligent I-See predictive cruise control, electrically controlled air-conditioning with sun sensor, remote central locking, twin armrests on the driver’s seat, DAB radio, satellite navigation, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and static corner lights.
Other options include Alcoa Dura-Bright aluminium rims and Michelin X Line Energy steer and pusher axle tyres, and X Multi Energy fitments on the drive axle, for low rolling resistance and maximum range. The new vehicles are finished in Gregory Distribution’s distinctive chocolate brown paint – one of 800 different hues, tints, and shades available from the Volvo Trucks factory.
Power is provided by Volvo’s proven G13C engine which delivers the same 460 hp and 2,300 Nm of torque as standard 460 hp diesel. The trucks will be fuelled from a skid-mounted Bio-LNG refuelling facility at the customer’s Cullompton base, with the vehicle’s range sufficient to tackle a return journey to the home counties. Plans are already in place with Gasrec to install a much larger four-bay station in Cullompton, as Gregory Distribution’s biomethane-powered truck fleet continues to grow.
“Compared with diesel, these trucks offer the same driveability, reliability and service intervals; plus, they are around 50 per cent quieter too – which brings additional benefits from both a driver and delivery perspective,” concluded Andrew.