Fuel provider helps B&Q create greener fleet

Gasrec, Europe’s only provider of Bio-LNG, has announced a new partnership with B&Q, the UK’s largest home improvement retailer.

Gasrec is helping B&Q to lead the way in creating a greener fleet with the arrival of 50 dual fuel lorries powered by biomethane – natural gas produced by waste.

The eco-friendly fuel used to power the lorries comprises 60 percent biomethane, the natural green source of renewable energy produced from organic matter such as household food waste and sewage. The use of this natural gas on the UK’s roads helps to reduce pollution and cut waste.

B&Q is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions from business travel and haulage to 50 percent by 2023*. Currently B&Q is tracking at 36 percent, ahead of all other UK retailers in the industry, and is well on track to meet the deadline ahead of time.

B&Q’s new Dual Stock Holding Distribution Facility in Swindon is among a number of initiatives driving this achievement. This new site allows B&Q to hold the same product in the north and south of the UK, greatly reducing the number of miles travelled to store by its lorries.

B&Q has introduced 50 new dual fuel tractor units at the facility following a successful trial last year. The 25 Mercedes and 25 Volvo units are powered by Gasrec’s Bio-LNG – a proprietary blend of liquid biomethane (LBM) and liquified natural gas (LNG).

To reduce travel carbon emissions by a further 11 percent, the home improvement retailer has now received a planning consent to invest in its own biomethane gas filling station at the Swindon Distribution Centre. The facility will be supplied, serviced and maintained by Gasrec.

Commenting on the partnership, Gasrec’s commercial development manager Doug Leaf said: "B&Q has taken the lead in utilising what is now a widely available fuel in the UK which delivers savings in both cash and carbon terms. The combination of B&Q's desire to achieve its environmental goals while saving money with Gasrec's low carbon, future-proof fuel solution is now becoming best practice amongst other retailers."

B&Q’s retail logistics service manager Michelle Thomas said: “We’re pleased to announce the introduction of 50 dual fuel lorries which is helping us meet our 2023 deadline to cut transport carbon emissions ahead of time. Other initiatives include 500 new double decker lorries and the replacement of 78 smaller energy efficient delivery vans. We’re also strengthening our focus on transporting more of our products by rail to save on road miles.”

Last year B&Q was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award and named Retail Week’s Responsible Retailer of the Year for its work in creating a more sustainable business and helping customers create greener homes as part of its One Planet Home programme. The introduction of dual fuel lorries will continue to help the retailer build on this success.

Source : Nikki Matthews – SHD Logistics
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