Homebase goes with gas to save fuel and reduce noise
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• by Kevin Swallow Homebase has taken fuel economy and noise reduction to a new level by investing in gasoperated trailers and heaters, as well as CNG-powered trucks, for horticultural deliveries.
The house and garden centre chain has added two CNGpowered 4x2 ERF EC127 tractive units arid Cartwright triaxle trailers to its delivery fleet that already boasts more than 100 tractors and 300 trailers.
Although major retailers have previously entered into the world of gas-operated tractors, the step into gas-heated trailers by Homebase is new.
The 13.6m body is constructed from 40mm FRP insulated panels. Cartwright director Steven Cartwright says the design guarantees a safer, cleaner distribution future.
Three Truma E2452 4E CNG units heat from under the trailer's pine floorboards with the storage tank fated on the nearside and a night heater into the ERF tractive unit.
The trailer heaters will produce a more efficient way to keep plants at an ambient temperature of 12-16° for horticultural deliveries but it has had one side effect—Homebase has had to replace the plastic wheels on the Dutch trolleys with metal.
The Cartwright trailer is produced with 82% recyclable materials including the steel chassis, laminated pine flooring (sourced from a certified reforestation site) and Department of Energy-approved aerodynamics, The trailer engineering, coupled with the ERF unit's package, is designed to reduce fuel consumption by 16% compared with non-aerodynamic combinations.
The ERFs have Detroit Diesel 330hp engines fuelled by CNG with six 150-litre tanks giving a maximum range of about 500km. In tests CNG reduced fuel consumption by 24% and cut carbon monoxide emissions by 97%. Homebase is negotiating with British Gas about installing more gas depots for nationwide coverage.
The Homebase Environ mental Project has been carried out in conjunction with its distribution contractor, C Butt; ERF; trailer manufacturer Cartwright; Detroit Diesel British Gas; and heater manufacturer Truma UK.
The new vehicles will be put into immediate action. Homebase logistics manager Nick Allen says four of a further 36 trailers ordered will operate exclusively with CNG tractive units.
Homebase distribution head Gary Marshall will wait for three months to evaluate the trucks and trailers before further investment is considered.