Royal Mail has added 29 gas-powered trucks to its delivery fleet to reduce the environmental impacts associated with delivery letters and parcels.

The 40-tonne vehicles will be powered using Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG), slashing noise pollution and reducing carbon dioxide equivalents by around 84% compared to existing diesel models.

Royal Mail adds that Bio-CNG fuel is “significantly more cost-effective than diesel” and notes it enables a long range and relatively fast refuelling time.

The new trucks will operate from Warrington, Chorley and Preston, close to refuelling facilities operated by CNG Fuels.

James Baker, Chief Engineer and Fleet Director at Royal Mail said: “As a Company, we are committed to making changes to our operations that reduce our environmental impact.

“Bio-CNG is a significantly more cost-effective and lower carbon alternative fuel to diesel for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). These vehicles enable us to deliver large payloads of parcels in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.”