UK Online Supermarket Uses Trucks Fueled By Food Waste

Waitrose, a British grocery chain and online supermarket that specializes in responsible sourcing and quality food, is deepening its roots in sustainability by using trucks that are completely fueled by biomethane gas made from food waste. They are the first company in Europe to use them commercially.

In partnership with CNG Fuels, a renewable biomethane gas supplier, the grocery chain has incorporated ten new trucks into its fleet, The Times reported.

"With Europe's most advanced CNG trucks, we will be able to make deliveries to our stores without having to refuel away from base," Justin Laney, general manager of central transport for the John Lewis Partnership, said in a statement.

"Using biomethane will deliver significant environmental and operational benefits to our business. It's much cleaner and quieter than diesel, and we can run five gas trucks for the same emissions as one diesel lorry."

Past "duel-fuel" vehicles have combined diesel with methane, natural gas, or biomethane gas and achieved a range of approximately 300 miles. American compressed natural gas fuel systems company Scania and Agility Fuel Solutions developed a twin carbon-fiber tank using natural gases that increases the range to 500 miles.

In addition to the biomethane gas being more than 35 percent cheaper than the gas of diesel-fueled trucks, the new technology allows the vehicles to emit 70 percent less carbon dioxide.