Uniserve is advancing its decarbonisation strategy by introducing 10 new Volvo FH Aero gas-powered 6×2 tractor units – the first trucks fuelled by bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) that the company has put into operation.
Uniserve ordered the trucks based on a successful trial, which confirmed the low miles per gallon (mpg) performance of the ultra-fuel-efficient Volvo FH Aero model. Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they will clock up more than 300,000 km per year running between Uniserve’s depot in Chepstow and its customers in Yorkshire.
Gordon McCormick, Group Transport Director at Uniserve, says: ‘As a business, we have been exploring how best to improve the sustainability of our hard-working fleet. For this application, biomethane is the best option to reduce our carbon emissions significantly.’
The Volvo FH Aeros are designed for ultimate fuel efficiency. Supplied by Alan Didwell, Key Account Sales Manager at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East, each FH Aero delivers substantial energy consumption and emission reductions compared to a standard FH through a refined, streamlined design. Additional efficiency gains are unlocked by deploying new technologies, notably Volvo’s Camera Monitoring System (CMS). Replacing traditional exterior mirrors, CMS enhances the driver’s field of view and, when driving with a trailer, activates auto-panning functionality to follow the trailer’s rear as it turns. ‘The demonstrator proved the mpg capability of the Aero design,’ adds McCormick.
‘Throughout a week’s work, we were looking to achieve a minimum of 9.8 mpg, and the Aero hit 10 mpg straight out of the box, which was hugely impressive. We’ve had the new units on the road for a few weeks, and the driver feedback has been positive.’
Uniserve’s new additions feature a 460 hp gas-powered engine, which delivers the same performance as the diesel version. The 10 FH Aeros will refuel at a newly installed biomethane facility at the company’s Chepstow base, built by ViGo Bioenergy. The LNG supplied is 100% waste-based, with a significant portion of the volume planned to come from ViGo’s own manure-derived biomethane, which can offer up to 79% carbon savings.
‘We use state-of-the-art saturation-on-the-fly technology, which means the bio-LNG is always provided at the right temperature for maximum performance and range,’ explains Jonny Williams, Managing Director at ViGo Bioenergy.
Backed by a full Volvo Gold contract, which guarantees maximum uptime and covers all maintenance and repairs, the new FH Aeros are equipped for driver comfort, with the Globetrotter cabs featuring an adjustable steering wheel with neck tilt, leather interior trim, a comfy reclinable bunk, interior lighting with night light and dimmer, plenty of storage and a 33-litre under bunk fridge/freezer. Safety is another essential part of the specification, with all FH Aeros equipped with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Side Collision Avoidance Support, and Driver Alert Support systems.
