Since 2015, the Landes road haulier Peixoto et Fils (13.6 million euros in turnover) has been gradually greening its fleet of 130 motor vehicles and 75 refrigerated semi-trailers. It specializes in both the collection of fresh and chilled products and their urban delivery. This transporter practices a double profession. Long-distance transport for the collection of fruit and vegetables from the South-West, Portugal and Brittany, where it acquired Transports Touzé (Plouisy, 22200). And refrigerated urban distribution from its headquarters in Saint-Vincent de Tyrosse (40) and its four regional agencies: Cestas (33), Beichac and Caillau (33), Labenne (40) and Guingamp (22).
Tractors, carriers, LCVs and CNG
This multi-activity is found in the Peixoto et Fils fleet. Since 2014, this has included Volvo Trucks and Scania refrigerated trucks with Carrier Supra Gaz or Thermo King refrigeration units of Piek standard for morning deliveries. For collection and distribution in the region, it uses Renault Trucks, Volvo and MAN thermal tractors to tow Lamberet bi-temperature semi-trailers. And since 2017, Ivecos and Scanias with CNG. Urban distribution in Bordeaux and the surrounding area is carried out with refrigerated LCVs. The disparity of its vehicles has prompted this carrier to equip itself with workshops integrated into its sites in Saint-Vincent, Bordeaux and Plouisy. He acquires his vehicles from the most efficient truck dealerships in after-sales service.
Aid from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
The refrigeration activity has also made Frédéric Peixoto, its director, aware of an ecology guided by energy saving. Thus, its drivers practice eco-driving and limit the opening times of their refrigerated trailers. Also, when he began the energy transition of his fleet, Frédéric Peixoto turned to the solution offering the best TCO, “vehicle autonomy and supply included, he underlines. The problem with ecology is that someone has to finance it. We have therefore mastered its economy by relying on aid from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Since 2015, it has been contributing to the financing of NGV stations on its territory. It grants carriers financial assistance over three years for the purchase of heavy goods vehicles running on biogas.
Less 4,000 t of CO2
Peixoto et Fils has therefore acquired biogas-powered Iveco Stralis. “Only BioCNG is virtuous from well to wheel, whereas LNG delivered by LNG carriers to ports is fossil fuel,” assures Frédéric Peixoto. I calculated that CNG forwarders wouldn’t do enough miles to be profitable. So I bought 18 Iveco Stralis CNG tractors between 2014 and 2018. As Saint-Vincent de Tyrosse acquired the certificates of origin for a methaniser from Cestas and Endesa opened a gas station there in 2017, we we drive 97% with bioCNG. »
“We have already saved 4,000 t of CO2. Thanks to regional aid, the TCO of my BioCNG trucks remains identical to that of diesel trucks. Iveco having trained my mechanics, we maintain the vehicles ourselves, except for the gas cylinders. This compensates for the additional cost of spark plugs and oil changes every 80,000 km. Finally, I suffer fewer fuel thefts and the price of gas should come down by the summer. »
Electric and hybrid tractor tests
Expecting to “run on biogas for twenty years”, Frédéric Peixoto is constantly improving his energy transition model. Since 2019, he has been replacing his Ivecos with bioCNG Scanias. Indeed, “the after-sales service is better. Their autonomy of 500 km is enough for us. By 2025, he will own 25 Scania biogas tractors. Scania also offers it the possibility of testing electric or plug-in hybrid heavy goods vehicles for its regional distribution. “Our tests show that their autonomy is reduced by the consumption of the refrigeration units and their use by the duration of the recharge. I therefore plan to relocate my warehouses to deliver to cities by electric truck. I also revise the TCO of the refrigeration unit and the semi-trailer to add SAF or BPW electric axles to the trailer. These axles recover the kinetic energy to supply the refrigeration units. »
Motivated drivers
Another solution for Peixoto et Fils is to practice energy diversity. “Electric for the ultra-urban and hybrid or gas for country towns or Île-de-France, which I distribute from the warehouse of a colleague, specifies Frédéric Peixoto. And for long journeys, diesel is not yet dead with its consumption of 25 l/100 km”. The transporter is all the more tempted when his drivers follow him. “They like to ride with clean energy. I already have 10% of female drivers, he welcomes. My cooperation with Pôle Emploi to train drivers and my offers of promotion to positions as operator, dock attendant, or even branch manager save me from the shortage of drivers. »
