Marks & Spencer is accelerating its effort to decarbonise UK distribution by expanding the use of biomethane fuel across its heavy goods fleet, betting on bio-CNG as a near-term route to lower-carbon transport. The retailer said the next phase of rollout will increase the number of biomethane-powered trucks serving both M&S Food and the Fashion, Home & Beauty logistics network, with vehicles expected to deliver up to 85% lower CO₂ emissions than conventional diesel equivalents.
M&S currently operates more than 210 bio-CNG trucks, including around 150 Scania 4×2 units and 26 Scania 6×2 vehicles. The company said it plans to add further trucks over the next year, lifting the size of its lower-emission fleet to more than 300 bio-CNG vehicles by the end of March 2027. The expansion supports M&S’ wider Plan A ambitions, including its goal to become a net-zero business across its value chain by 2040.
To support the larger fleet, M&S has signed a long-term agreement with CNG Fuels to install Mobile Refuelling Stations (MRS) at distribution centres. The company said these sites will provide daily capacity to refuel more than 300 CNG trucks, complementing CNG Fuels’ public-access network of 16 stations. That national network is also being expanded, with CNG Fuels aiming to support up to 20,000 truck refuels per day by the end of 2028.
Bio-CNG is produced from renewable waste feedstocks, including food waste and agricultural by-products such as manure, and is positioned by operators as a “drop-in” alternative that can reduce emissions without waiting for full electrification of long-haul transport.
Julian Bailey, Transport Director at M&S, said the retailer has tested multiple options and is scaling what it sees as the most deployable solution for heavy fleet decarbonisation today. “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.”
Philip Fjeld, CEO and co-founder of ReFuels, said biomethane offers an immediate pathway to reduce emissions in road freight, especially when combined with refuelling infrastructure designed for large fleets. “We are proud to support M&S as they shift towards more sustainable logistics. Biomethane is a cost-efficient here-and-now solution to decarbonise road transport, and our Mobile Refuelling Stations help large fleets decarbonise quickly. This agreement underscores the rapid growth in demand from major UK retailers and distributors.”
Scania, which supplies a significant share of the vehicles in the programme, said collaboration across manufacturers, fuel providers and fleet operators will be key to delivering meaningful reductions at scale. “We are pleased to be working in collaboration with Marks & Spencer, and to be playing an active role in helping them reach their Plan A Net Zero ambitions.
“At Scania, we are driving the shift towards sustainable transport systems that are better for business, society and the environment. By working together with our partners, we can develop transport solutions that reduce our carbon footprints, while making sure that we continue to meet the demands of a growing population – profitably and sustainably
“It is testament to the vision and the shared values between the three companies that we can work side-by-side. And this is just the beginning, we are very excited to be in partnership with Marks & Spencer and CNG Fuels, and we can’t wait to see how this partnership grows and evolves in the future.”
Alongside the expansion in biomethane-powered trucks, M&S said it is also trialling electrification in its distribution network. The retailer currently operates 13 battery-electric HGVs with zero tailpipe emissions, as well as five battery-electric rigid trucks, across its food and non-food logistics operations.
