AIT Home Delivery, a wholly owned subsidiary of AIT Worldwide Logistics and a leader in two-person home delivery, has taken delivery of 35 new MAN TGS 4×2 tractor units as part of a strategic move to enhance fleet efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support the company’s sustainability goals.
The new vehicles—acquired on a three-year lease—replace the company’s previous MAN TGX 6×2 trucks, which had been operated over three generations. All 35 units are part of the fourth-generation fleet operated with MAN, underlining AIT’s long-standing partnership with the vehicle manufacturer.
All of the trucks are now in operation and fully wrapped in AIT’s new livery.
“This marks a step-change in our fleet strategy,” said Gary McKelvey, AIT’s Vice President Global Home Delivery. “The move to 4×2 configuration brings significant benefits in terms of payload flexibility, fuel economy, and operating costs—all of which are key in a highly demanding final-mile logistics environment.”
The shift from 6×2 to 4×2 brings a host of operational improvements:
- Reduced unladen weight allows for higher legal payloads.
- Improved fuel efficiency thanks to lower rolling resistance and drivetrain drag.
- Lower maintenance costs with fewer components such as tyres, axles, and brake systems.
- Enhanced manoeuvrability—critical in tight depot and urban environments.
- Simplified mechanical configuration, making maintenance quicker and more cost-effective.
The new fleet is also dual-fuel capable, allowing operation on both diesel and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). AIT is currently trialling five of the units on HVO, with early results showing strong performance and improved fuel economy, without any noticeable reduction in vehicle performance.
“We’re seeing very encouraging data in the HVO trial,” Gary McKelvey added. “It supports our wider ESG goals and positions us to offer low-emission delivery options to clients.”
While HVO currently comes at a modest premium—125ppl versus diesel at 102ppl—the up to 90% CO₂ reduction it offers over fossil fuels makes it a compelling proposition for AIT and its sustainability-focused clients.
The HVO trial will expand to include key trunking routes from Northampton supporting major clients. The results will inform broader adoption across the fleet.
“This investment reflects our global commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence,” said Ryan Carter, Executive Vice President, Americas. “As AIT Home Delivery continues to grow its footprint in the UK, aligning our fleet strategy with performance and environmental impact ensures we’re delivering long-term value to customers and communities alike.”
Committed to sustainability, AIT has also introduced a series of recycling initiatives, such as the removal of skips at sites and individual waste contracts and the designation of one central location and a single waste management company for collating general waste. Meanwhile, three sites have installed balers for cardboard and plastic recycling, all WEEE Goods are sent to one supplier so the components can be broken down for recycling, and all retrieved mattresses and sofas are sent for recycling.
Panther Logistics became AIT Home Delivery in July 2024 after it was acquired by US-based AIT Worldwide Logistics in 2020 – the latest chapter in the two-person delivery specialist’s history.
For more information about AIT Home Delivery, visit their website here.
