Marks & Spencer is set to grow its lower-emission logistics fleet to more than 300 bio-CNG vehicles by the end of March 2027.

The retailer currently operates more than 210 bio-CNG trucks, including around 150 Scania 4×2 vehicles and 26 Scania 6×2 trucks.

The expansion forms part of M&S’ Plan A commitment to move towards a lower-emission vehicle fleet, supporting its wider ambition to become a net zero business across its value chain by 2040.

To support the rollout, M&S has signed a long-term agreement with CNG Fuels to deliver mobile refuelling stations at its distribution centres, providing daily capacity to refuel more than 300 CNG trucks.

The new infrastructure will complement CNG Fuels’ national network of 16 public-access stations, which is being expanded to support up to 20,000 trucks per day by the end of 2028.

Bio-CNG is a renewable fuel produced from domestic waste feedstocks, including food waste and agricultural by-products such as manure.

M&S transport director Julian Bailey said: “Moving to lower-carbon logistics with reduced dependency on diesel and the increased use of new technologies and lower carbon fuels is key to achieving our Plan A Net Zero ambitions.

“We trialled a range of technologies and have chosen bio-CNG as a key solution for decarbonising our logistics fleet as it is a proven, flexible and cost-efficient fuel supported by mature infrastructure.”

ReFuels chief executive and co-founder Philip Fjeld said the partnership highlighted the growing demand for biomethane across major UK retail and distribution fleets.

“Biomethane is a cost-efficient, domestic here-and-now solution to decarbonise road transport, and our mobile refuelling stations help large fleets decarbonise quickly,” he said.

Scania UK specialist sales manager Simon Gray added that the business was “pleased to be working in collaboration with Marks & Spencer” to support its Plan A net zero ambitions.

Alongside its biomethane-powered trucks, M&S also operates 13 zero tailpipe-emission battery electric HGVs and five battery electric rigids across its Fashion, Home & Beauty and Food distribution networks.

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning