Gas power gets the green light

THE Co-operative Group&#039s programme to create the UK&#039s largest fleet of dual fuel vehicles is on target for completion by the end of the year.
If trials are successful, the Group&#039s retail division will be on the way to operating an initial 100-strong fleet of gas-powered articulated delivery vehicles in a 410-strong tractor unit fleet. The first 60 of these are now on the road ? 60 Foden C12 articulated units converted to run on compressed natural gas as well as diesel. Natural gas could save an annual &#163 3.6 million on the fuel bill.
"Introducing gas-powered vehicles is part of our belief in reducing the adverse effects of commercial activity on the environment," said Trevor Ashworth, Co-operative Group General Manager, Distribution.
The first of the Group&#039s 19 vehicle depots, in Alfreton, Derbyshire, already has an operational compressor unit to fuel 30 vehicles and another at Cumbernauld in Scotland should be completed next month. If the programme is rolled out throughout the fleet then four more could be operational in the next two years.