Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has recently undertaken a project to trial a renewable gas-powered heavy goods vehicle.
In partnership with CNG Fuels, the leading operator of Bio-CNG refueling infra-structure in the UK, the trial will enable Stiller to benchmark the test vehicle against its existing diesel powered trucks on local mileage journeys as well as regular medium distance trips to Liverpool and back.
The truck CNG Fuels has supplied to Stiller is a new generation Iveco, generating 460-brake horsepower and delivering a range of up to 360 miles, using its two high capacity carbon fiber gas tanks.
Stiller, as well as other businesses on Aycliffe Business Park, is ideally placed in close proximity to the new CNG Fuels’ gas refueling forecourt at the Junction 59 services on the A1.
This forecourt, one of 14 (with a 15th near completion at Doncaster) publicly accessible stations across the UK, has 14 refuelling islands.
More locations are planned in a roll out plan for this year and 2025.
The truck is powered by compressed natural gas – 100% renewable Biomethane sourced from various waste feedstocks, independently approved and verified by the Department for Transport’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation scheme.
Using this method of fuelling vehicles, as well as providing cost and emissions savings, will enable Stiller to promote its commitment to providing a low carbon offering, undertake safe and clean refueling and, impressively, a 50% engine noise reduction.
Managing director Matthew Stiller said: “We are very grateful to CNG Fuels for supplying us with the HGV to assess.
“As well as capturing detailed running cost information, we are very interested to gain our own drivers’ feedback on the performance and operation of the vehicle.
“We have already gleaned that engine noise within the truck’s cab is substantially lower than that of a diesel truck which makes for a more pleasant working environment.
“We are very luckily in Newton Aycliffe to have this publicly accessible CNG forecourt.
“Until now, fueling CNG was only really available to businesses that could justify a multi-million pound investment in storage and fueling infrastructure within their own premises.”
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