Iveco Presents LNG, CNG Vehicles in Brussels, Belgium

Iveco has presented its natural gas range at the “European Natural Gas Summit 2012”, an event focused on the natural gas vehicle market, held in Brussels the 24 and 25 October.

Iveco is European leader in the production and marketing of natural gas vehicles, that represent an important advantage both in economic and in environmental terms.

The company has a full range of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles, from 3,5 t for the Daily Natural Power to the 12-16 t for the Eurocargo, to the 40 t for the Stralis CNG. An Iveco Stralis LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) version completes the range.

The company has long been committed to researching and developing new solutions in the sector of natural gas vehicles, with 12.000 units circulating in private company and public sector fleets, of which 5.000 Daily, 2.000 vehicles in the medium and heavy range and 5.000 buses.

“Natural gas vehicle technology is a priority for Iveco,” said Alessandro Mortali, Senior Vice President Heavy Range at Iveco. “We have early understood the importance of methane as an alternative energy source. CNG and LNG are mature technologies, delivering low-impact transport solutions: CNG vehicles are ideal for urban missions, LNG vehicles allow the use of natural gas in regional and national distribution”.

The CNG technology guarantees considerable advantages from an environmental point of view, such as lower CO2 emissions, less particulates emissions and reduced levels of noise. In addition, the LNG system also enables a reduction in vehicle weight, allowing an increase in load-carrying capacity.

The use of natural gas-powered vehicles presents an economic advantage for vehicle operators compared to Diesel fuel. A Stralis LNG delivers a reduction in TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of up to 12% on a regional delivery mission, over an average distance of 80.000 kilometres a year, for five years.

The Iveco Natural gas vehicles are recognized by important fleet operators. Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd, following impressive results of a year-long trial, has taken delivery of an additional 14 gas powered Iveco Stralis 6×2 rigid trucks. Moreover, Sydeme, the public company in charge of the management of domestic waste in Moselle-Est (France), has recently renewed its fleet 34 new natural gas vehicles, among which three Daily and 25 Stralis.

A full range of Natural Gas Vehicles

Daily Natural Power

The Daily Natural Power is equipped with an FPT Industrial CNG engine of 136 HP (100 kW) with three way catalytic converter, using a stoichiometric (with chemically correct air-fuel ratio) combustion regime that brings characteristics of reliability and durability and ensures exhaust emissions well below the limits required by the European EEV legislation in force.

This system can detect the composition of the gas used and is able to adapt the actual air/fuel ratio accordingly, in order to maintain low emissions without sacrificing performance. The positive ignition results in engine noise significantly lower than that of a Diesel equivalent, so that these vehicles are particularly suitable for night-time use in urban centres, without requiring additional sound insulation measures.

Eurocargo CNG

The Eurocargo Natural Power is available in versions with gross vehicle weight from 12 to 16 t, special 6 cylinder 200 HP engine for CNG and 9-speed manual gearbox. The CNG Eurocargo has by far the lowest environmental impact among internal combustion engine: no sulphur, hydrocarbons or particulate at the exhaust; CO2 emissions lower up to 20% compared to Diesel engines of equal performance.

Stralis CNG

The Stralis CNG is equipped with the Cursor 8 CNG engine, with a 7.8 litre displacement. The Stralis CNG range covers applications from 18 to 26 t with configurations of two and three axles, 4×2 and 6x2x4, the latter having a trailing positively steered axle with pneumatic suspension.

It is ideal for urban missions and night time delivery. It is equipped with the new automatic Allison 3200 gearbox with a hydraulic torque converter and 6 speeds and includes an integrated primary auxiliary brake.

Stralis LNG

The Stralis LNG Natural Power is ideal for regional and national distribution missions, such as fuel transportation. One of the key benefits of the LNG technology is that it guarantees a much greater range for vehicles, that can reach up to 750 km. The vehicle is equipped with Cursor 8 natural gas engine with a power rating 330 HP, manual gearbox, production line Intarder and EBS. It is built for applications carrying between 18 and 40 tons.

The market opportunities for these vehicles are particularly strong in the food and beverage sectors, fuel transportation, among logistics operators and firms engaged in night-time delivery, where the reduction of noise levels is guaranteed by spark ignition engines. On average, the noise reduction for natural gas fuelled Stralis vehicles is between 3 and 6 decibels compared to a vehicle with the same power rating running on Diesel.

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LNG World News Staff, October 29, 2012; Image: Iveco