Plated at 40-tonnes gtw, each vehicle has been equipped with Scania's OC09 102, nine-litre, Euro 6 gas (compressed or liquified) engine, delivering 340bhp at 1,900 rpm and 1,600Nm of torque between 1,100 and 1,400 rpm. Thermal efficiency of 40%.
In addition to meeting the Euro 6 exhaust emissions standard when operated on biomethane, carbon dioxide, reductions of up to 70% can be achieved, according to David Landy, Argos fleet manager.
And he adds that the vehicle is also extremely quiet, meaning they are particularly suitable for rural areas.
"The ultra-low emissions and environmental benefits of these trucks makes them an extremely attractive proposition," states Landy.
"The trucks are a unique manufacturer's offer, as opposed to an aftermarket adaption, which made our purchasing decision easy," he continues.
"The research and development Scania has undertaken, along with a 10 year duty-differential promise from the government, gives us a great deal of confidence in gas powered operation."
For Landy, the final piece of the jigsaw is now in place, with the growing gas filling station infrastructure.
"These trucks will be based at our Magna Park, Lutterworth distribution centre, just a few miles from the Gasrec refuelling station at DIRFT in Daventry," he explains.
"With an expected range of up to 450 kilometres, the vehicles will run initially on daily return-to-base operations, but in the future this could change as the UK gas refuelling infrastructure continues to develop and grow," he adds.
Interestingly, Martin Hay, UK truck sales director for Scania, says that while Argos is the first UK operator to put our dedicated gas-powered trucks into operation, there are "approaching 4,000 gas-powered Scania vehicles in service around the world".
For him, the developing fuel supply infrastructure is the next major step to encourage adoption in the UK – and hence to combat greenhouse gas emissions.
This delivery also represents a major milestone in InnovateUK's (formerly the Technology Strategy Board) Low Carbon Truck trial, with hundreds of mostly dual-fuel tractors being operated by major operators.