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The wholesaler is planning to cut emissions with more efficient fuel 

Brakes is planning to slash its emissions by switching to a more efficient and cleaner-burning fuel created by Shell.

The foodservice wholesaler is piloting the new fuel at its Premier Park depot in West London, with plans to roll it out across more of its fleet if the switch is successful.

Brakes will be the first major London business to use Shell’s Gas to Liquids (GTL) fuel from Certas Energy.

Switching from diesel to Shell’s GTL will see a 10%-20% reduction in nitrous oxide and a 20%-40% reduction in particulates.

“As well as being a company that delivers food across London, like millions of other people we live and work in London, so recognise first hand the need to help address the issue of traffic pollution,” said Brakes head of indirect goods and services procurement Steve Webster.

“We believe this transition from diesel to GTL fuel is the right and responsible thing to do to contribute to improved air quality in London, but if we are to make a real difference we need more road transport businesses in London to follow us and do their bit to help reduce pollution.”

Brakes worked with vehicle manufacturer DAF and Certas to ensure it could use Shell’s GTL fuel without any major modifications to its fleet.

“GTL fuel is part of the mosaic of fuels that Shell believes will help drive the energy transition in transportation, alongside biofuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electricity,” added Shell GTL deployment manager James Lyon.

“We believe that GTL fuel will play an increasingly important role in the fuel mix for heavy duty vehicles especially where governments are keen to improve local air emissions immediately.”

Brakes’ delivery vehicles will carry a new livery to highlight the switch in fuel.