GEODIS France acquires 200 biogas vehicles

GEODIS is investing in a “green” fleet for urban delivery in France. The aim is to reduce pollution and noise disturbance. Stéphane Cassagne, GEODIS Executive Vice President of Distribution & Express Line of Business, and Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France, signed an agreement that includes an order for 200 CNG vehicles that will be fuelled with biogas. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2021.

“This investment marks another new step for GEODIS in reducing the impact of its activities on the environment and combating climate change,” says Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of GEODIS. “In particular, by greening road transport in the last mile we will contribute to decarbonising the sector. Urban logistics is at the heart of our actions.”

GEODIS‘ goal is to achieve 100% carbon-free transport to the city centres of France’s 35 largest cities (with populations of more than 150,000 inhabitants) within three years. The proactive strategy initiated several years ago has reached a new level with the signing of this order with IVECO, a leader in alternative energies with nearly 60% of the French market.

GEODIS chose 107 IVECO Daily and 93 Eurocargo vehicles powered by BioGNV, a fuel that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95% while offering the same performance as a diesel vehicle. Compared to a Euro VI-E diesel vehicle, fine particle emissions are reduced by 95% and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions by 90%. These vehicles fall into the Crit’Air 1 category. Certified by Pieck Quiet Truck 71 dB, they are able to make silent deliveries by day and night.

“The increased use of new energies is a lever for action to reduce the emissions linked to our distribution activities,” said Stéphane Cassagne, Executive Vice President of GEODIS‘ Distribution & Express line of business. “This order for 200 vehicles is a major step that marks our commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. It positions us as a major player in clean delivery in France, an ambition that brings yet more benefits to our customers.”

“We welcome GEODIS‘ commitment and the trust placed in our brand,” said Emilio Portillo, Managing Director of IVECO France. “IVECO believed very early on in the natural gas solution, for which demand is growing steadily in France and in Europe. With this solution, which meets the triple objective of protecting our health, the climate and the quality of life in the city, our vehicles have become the benchmark for transporters who are already committed to the ecological transition.”