Fraikin Supply Crewe-based AO with new CNG vehicles

Fraikin has delivered 10 new CNG-powered tractor units to AO as the Crewe-based online electricals retailer aims to reduce its carbon footprint.

The new IVECO tractor units are the first in AO’s 129 trunking fleet to operate on natural gas.

The vehicles operate on compressed biomethane and replace older, diesel-powered trucks.

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 ultra-light weight home delivery vans supplied on contract hire by Fraikin.

David Ashwell, MD of AO Logistics, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the new CNG vehicles into our UK trunking fleet and continue our successful partnership with Fraikin.

“At AO Logistics, we are always looking at ways to improve our operation in terms of both sustainability and fuel efficiency – trialling these new IVECO tractor units is a fantastic step towards reducing our impact on the environment.”

Peter Eaton, Sales and Business Development Manager at CNG Fuels, said: “CNG Fuels are thrilled to be working with AO and Fraikin on this project and to be welcoming these 10 CNG vehicles through our Bio-CNG Station network.

“These vehicles will be running on 100% Renewable & Sustainable Biomethane and will be helping to reduce HGV emissions by over 90% currently.

“By the end of 2022 our aim is to deliver Biomethane that will achieve a Net Zero emissions target for all of our customers.”

Mark Guilfoyle, Business Development Manager at Fraikin, added: “Having already supplied 63 tractor units into the fleet since the companies began working together in 2017, Fraikin has built up a solid understanding of AO’s business and are acutely aware of what is required from the vehicles it operates, as well as its wider environmental aims.”