XPO Logistics & British Gypsum Take Delivery Of First Volvo FM LNG & HVO Trucks From 76-Unit Order
When freight transportation services provider XPO Logistics and Leicestershire-based building materials provider British Gypsum recently ordered 76 new Volvo FM trucks, sustainability, safety, and driver comfort were points of emphasis. As such, the order specified 23 Volvo FM LNG units that run on Bio-LNG (liquified natural gas) and 53 FMs that run on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). The firms have begun receiving the initial trucks from the order and expect that the new tractor units will result in a 30% network-wide reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On a one-to-one basis, the alternate-fuel FMs provide a 90% GHG reduction compared to diesel-powered tractors.
“Our new fleet of vehicles underlines our commitment to ensuring that our products are delivered to customers in an efficient, secure, safe, and sustainable way, whilst further improving welfare standards for our drivers,” says Brian Fisher, head of distribution for British Gypsum. “The latest investment signifies yet more progress as we continue on our journey to being net carbon zero by 2050, and highlights our continued commitment to the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) status.”
Seven Days A Week
XPO Logistics is digitally managing the trucks per a contract with British Gypsum. They’ll operate seven days a week, each logging 150,000 kilometres (93,205 miles) per annum as they deliver building supplies and transport stock and materials such as plaster, plasterboard, and drylining systems among British Gypsum’s five manufacturing plants. Each truck has a Globetrotter cab that’s equipped with a new dashboard featuring a 12-inch digital display, new colours, and more storage space. (Volvo also makes a 9-inch touchscreen side display available as an option for infotainment, camera monitoring, navigation, and other purposes.)
The trucks include the Volvo Drive+ package, which includes an adjustable neck-tilt steering wheel, air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a microwave. They also have an extended catwalk behind the cab, an electronic braking system, a collision warning emergency brake, and electronic stability control. Blind-spot detection sensors, rollaway prevention technology, and a CoupleSafe system that warns the driver of an improperly connected trailer are also in place.
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The trucks’ Volvo G13C engines are somewhat unique. Rather than using small amounts of diesel to initiate an air-fuel mixture as is typical, they use small amounts of HVO, which creates an even greater reduction in carbon emissions, but without a hit to performance. British Gypsum specified 460-horsepower (338-kilowatt) engines that generate 2,300 newton-metres (1,696 pounds-foot) of torque. Volvo says the G13C delivers performance equal to a diesel-equivalent engine, but with 20% less carbon emissions.
The FM is also available as a rigid truck, and can be specified with five other cab options. You’ll find hundreds of new and used Volvo trucks for sale on Truck Locator, including a big selection of FMs.
Source: Volvo