February 7, 2025. Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the introduction of 85 zero or lower emission vehicles to its supply chain logistics fleet, comprising five electric HGVs and 80 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks.
The five zero emission battery electric HGVs will operate between M&S’ Clothing & Home distribution centre in Welham Green, and 30 stores across London and the South East, including Oxford Street and Bluewater. The 42-tonne battery electric Renault trucks will directly replace equivalent diesel trucks.
The vehicles are delivered under the eFREIGHT 2030 project, part of the UK Government’s zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme (ZEHID) which aims to decarbonize road freight transport by accelerating the uptake of zero emissions heavy goods vehicles and their charging infrastructure.
From September, M&S also started taking delivery of 30 new vehicles that run on natural gas for its Clothing & Home business, the first retailer to introduce 6×2 CNGs in the UK. This follows a long-term collaborative trial with Iveco – the first manufacturer to offer a 6×2 CNG vehicle – testing the vehicle’s reliability, fuel economy and green credentials. The retailer also recently introduced 50 4×2 natural gas vehicles to its Food logistics business Gist as part of its food supply chain transformation. The CNG lorry cabs are powered by biomethane, a sustainable renewable fuel derived from waste products including food, animal manure and waste water, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 85% versus a diesel engine.
Once these 85 vehicles are in operation, almost 10% of M&S’ total transport fleet will be powered by zero or lower-emission solutions.
