Finding food for new thoughts
23 FEBRUARY 2017
Food retailer Alimerka, in the northern Spanish region of Asturias, has taken a fleet of 20 Scania LNG trucks, Liquid Natural Gas, into operation. By adopting this new technology, the retailer aims to reduce its carbon emissions while also benefitting from the substantially lower noise in gas-powered vehicles.
“We wanted to give this technology a try,” says Transport Supervisor David Valerio Orviz, Alimerka. “We had a test truck for about a year, which gave us interesting data on fuel consumption and range. It allowed us to test fuelling systems and train drivers.”
The results were so encouraging that Alimerka decided to expand with a substantial fleet for deliveries to its 173 supermarkets in Asturias and neighbouring regions. Founded 30 years ago, Alimerka is firmly established in the region. “We have a commitment to the environment, to Asturias and to the region,” explains Valerio Orviz.
A major advantage with LNG is that trucks can operate up to 1,000 kilometres on a tank compared with just half on a tank of CNG. This greater range makes the fuel a competitive alternative for use in regional distribution, while CNG is currently mostly used for city distribution and refuse collection.
Alimerka’s drivers are equally pleased. “I personally like it because is comfortable, it’s higher and the driver position is very comfortable,” says driver José Antonio Campal Fonseca.
