Primark is taking on additional natural gas-powered trucks from IVECO for its UK transport operations, following the acquisition of higher capacity LSTs (Longer Semi Trailer) in August 2020.

10 new IVECO Stralis NP 460 4×2 tractor units run solely on Bio-Liquified Natural Gas (Bio-LNG), 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.

A full suite of exterior cameras with an internal monitor ensures the drivers can see just as well as they’ll be seen, while a front and side scan system warns of any hidden obstacles or pedestrians during urban manoeuvres. Additionally, an automatically adjusting Aerodyne Global Aeromatic air deflector pushes air up and over the near 5m high trailers, reducing drag to optimise fuel efficiency.

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.