XPO Logistics inaugurated its new pallet distribution hub at Bondoufle, France, by unveiling a fleet of Stralis Euro VI Natural Power trucks purchased from Industrial Vehicles Corporation (Iveco).

The vehicles, which run on liquefied natural gas (LNG/CNG), comprise the largest gas-powered truck fleet of its kind in France. XPO Logistics is the first transport provider in France to fully integrate gas into its standard transportation offering, building on its long-standing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

XPO Logistics took possession of 31 Stralis tractors from Iveco at the Bondoufle launch, expanding its fleet of five gas-powered tractors already in use in France. The Stralis tractors generate 96 percent less fine particle emissions and 70 percent less NO2 emissions than the limits permitted by the Euro VI standard. In the future, the company plans to operate Bondoufle exclusively with gas-powered tractors and straight trucks, and expects to introduce gas-powered tractors in other branches as well.

As a central hub in XPO Logistics’ distribution network in France, the Bondoufle branch will dispatch pallet deliveries to central Paris and the southern Ile-de-France region, and will collect pallets from the region destined for shipment throughout France. The Bondoufle fleet marks a new milestone in the company’s commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of urban logistics, in line with the goals set by major French and European cities.

“We now offer the cleanest fleet of heavy goods vehicles in the market,” said Luis Angel Gomez, XPO Logistics managing director for transport solutions in Europe. “This is another significant step forward in our environmental commitment, following our inland water transport solution through the Seine and our intermodal solution in connection with the Chapelle International project, a combination of urban rail shuttle service and gas-powered road transport that will deliver goods to central Paris.”

“XPO Logistics operated five Stralis LNG/CNG tractors extensively in northern France in a simulation of future operations conducted from Bondoufle,” said Iveco chairman Pierre Lahutte. “XPO Logistics is setting an example for the industry by making the most of Iveco’s Natural Power technology.”