Signed to a five-year, full-service contract hire agreement, the new IVECO S-WAY NP 4x2 tractor units are the first in AO’s 129-strong trunking fleet to operate on natural gas. The vehicles operate on compressed biomethane and replace older, diesel-powered trucks. Utilising its industry expertise, Fraikin was able to highlight how the new IVECO units could provide a cost-effective solution with the right environmental credentials.
Supplied in AO’s green vinyl livery and with both single double deck trailers, the new vehicles will carry large appliances between the company’s depots in Crewe and North London, clocking up around 125,000 miles per year. Over the last two years, the retailer has increased its warehousing capacity by over 80% to 1.5 million sq ft and rapidly grown its distribution network to over 25 depots across the UK. In total, AO currently operates more than 1,000 commercial vehicles, including 3.5-tonne lightweight home delivery vans supplied on contract hire by Fraikin.
The vehicles will be refuelled from CNG Fuels’ bio-CNG station network and will be running on 100% biomethane.
The new truck design features improved aerodynamics to help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. With large, 1,052-litre fuel tanks, the S-WAY NPs will be more than capable of handling their intended operational trunking routes, offering a range of up to 380 miles on a full tank.
Fraikin has supplied 63 tractor units to AO since 2017, according to business development manager Mark Guilfoyle.
If the new trucks prove to be a success, the company will look to replace more diesel-powered assets.