Waitrose stores in central London are now receiving deliveries from the first of a new breed of low-emission Mercedes-Benz trucks.

Operated by shared user distribution specialist Lenham Storage, the groundbreaking Atego BlueTec® Hybrid employs a Euro 5/EEV diesel engine and an electric motor, which can power the vehicle individually or in tandem.

Depending on the application, Europe’s first series-produced hybrid truck offers fuel consumption savings of up to 15 per cent and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions.

Lenham Storage’s new 12-tonner is also equipped with a specially developed version of the Mercedes-Benz MSS (Motor Stop-Start) system, which boosts fuel economy simply by switching off the engine whenever the vehicle is in neutral and stationary for three seconds – for example, in heavy traffic or at lights.

In standard Atego models with manual gearboxes the system re-starts the engine automatically as soon as the driver drops the clutch; however, the Atego BlueTec® Hybrid has an automated transmission, so the engine is switched on again when the accelerator pedal is depressed.  

To further enhance these environmentally-friendly credentials, the cab’s wind-cheating ‘Freddie’ roof deflector and collar are by aerodynamics specialist Hatcher Components, while the streamlined Bevan21 box body – complete with curved roof, tapered sides and roof-mounted rear diffuser – was manufactured from lightweight, recyclable panels by Bevan Group, another expert in the field.

Lenham Storage has headquarters near Maidstone, in Kent, and a depot in Andover, Hampshire. It provides a comprehensive portfolio of storage and distribution services to customers across the grocery, beverage and FMCG sectors.

The family-owned business was founded in 1946 and has been a loyal operator of Mercedes-Benz trucks since its very earliest days; today, with the exceptions of just four tractor units, every vehicle on its 130-strong fleet wears a three-pointed star.

Sporting the personalised registration GR61 CER (GROCER), the Atego BlueTec® Hybrid was supplied by Sittingbourne dealer Sparshatts of Kent, with support from Mercedes-Benz UK.  

The 60hp (44kW) electric motor offers instantly accessible maximum torque of 420Nm. It draws its energy from a high-performance lithium-ion battery which is charged mainly during braking, through the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy.

When starting off, the vehicle is driven by the water-cooled electric motor, thus ensuring quiet, fuel-efficient and low-emission progress; the 218hp (160kW) 4.8-litre internal combustion engine is merely idling during this stage. More fuel is saved during acceleration, when the electric motor assists the diesel.

A dashboard display allows the driver to monitor the performance of the electric motor, confirming whether it is assisting the diesel engine during overtaking or storing energy during braking.

Lenham Storage Managing Director Keith Abrehart and his team liaised closely with key customer Justin Laney, Fleet General Manager for the John Lewis Partnership, which operates John Lewis and Waitrose shops, and with Nick Blake, Commercial Vehicle Sales Engineering Manager at Mercedes-Benz UK, before commissioning the new truck. It is assigned primarily to Waitrose store deliveries in London and makes between 12 and 15 ‘drops’ per day, six days a week.

“We believe hybrid vehicles will have a valuable role to play in reducing carbon emissions and improving local air quality in urban environments,” commented Justin Laney. “Using this vehicle for deliveries to our Waitrose shops will help us to assess the contribution that the latest hybrid technology can make to our own carbon reduction plans.”

Keith Abrehart explained: “What we like about the Mercedes Atego Hybrid is that it’s a genuine, ‘real world’ solution that combines the environmental attractions of electric power with the operational reassurance of a conventional diesel engine.”

Lenham Storage typically runs its trucks for between three and five years, but envisages a longer service life of up to seven years for the hybrid. “There will obviously be fuel cost savings although it’s impossible to quantify them at this stage,” continued Mr Abrehart. “Likewise, we’re keen to monitor factors such as servicing costs and battery life over a longer period.

“There will always be unknowns when you’re piloting innovative new technology but Mercedes-Benz has been very supportive over the years and we’re confident that if any issues do crop up they will be dealt with. Certainly, we’re very proud to be the first customer for such an important new vehicle.”

Lenham Storage has been working for Waitrose for nearly 10 years. As well as making daily deliveries of high volume bulky goods to its customer’s stores nationwide, the vehicles return with used cardboard which Lenham then bales – it delivers some 25,000 tonnes of recycled Waitrose cardboard to mills every year.      

Mr Abrehart added: “Everyone is concerned about the environment and issues like air quality these days, and we are committed to sustainable business practices across all of our operations – that’s why we’ve already ordered half a dozen of the first Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units for delivery next year.”  

Other recent additions to the Lenham Storage fleet include 10 4x2 Mercedes-Benz Axor tractor units which pull 10.5-metre Lawrence David urban trailers with active rear-steer systems for enhanced manoeuvrability, and a 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fitted with one of the first examples of Bevan Group’s new, aerodynamic ICON Luton body. Both have brought significant improvements in productivity: the trailers each carry 20 pallets and have replaced 16-pallet rigids, while the Sprinter, which delivers fine wines to restaurants, bars and clubs in central London, offers a market-leading payload of more than 1,160kg.