Coca-Cola Enterprises is set to roll out a fleet of renewable biogas-powered delivery trucks in London depot as part of a drive to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs.

The investment follows a successful 12-month trial with low carbon vehicle technology advisor, the Centre of Excellence (Cenex), to evaluate and compare the emissions, fuel consumption, economics, reliability and operability of a 26 tonne Iveco Stralis biomethane gas vehicle with that of a diesel Stralis vehicle.

It concluded that the gas vehicle achieved emissions savings of about 50%, compared to the diesel vehicles. Cenex has predicted this saving could rise to 60% if Coca-Cola Enterprises installed a more efficient permanent filling station at its depot. The gas vehicle using biomethane was also found to reduce fuel costs by 12.8%.

Coca-Cola Enterprises logistics asset manager Darren O’Donnell, said: “Our primary reason for selecting compressed biomethane is that it has the lowest carbon intensity of all commercially available alternative fuels, allowing us to benefit from the best possible well-to-wheel saving. “

“Gaining independent trial support and results verification by Cenex has helped give us the confidence needed to make step changes in emissions performance through switching vehicle technology and fuels.”

As a result, Coca-Cola Enterprises has invested in a fleet of 14 gas powered Iveco Stralis vehicles and a gas station. Cenex has predicted that the new gas fleet will result in a saving of more than 300 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Cenex head of technical support and consultancy Chris Walsh, said: “The success of this trial shows gas vehicles provide similar if not better, drive performance and reliability levels than incumbent diesel technologies, while significantly reducing CO2 emissions.”