The first gas-powered truck in Scania’s new XT range for construction applications has been delivered to the city of Hasselt, Belgium. The Scania P 340 4×2 hooklift truck for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) from the Sweden-headed engine, bus, and truck manufacturer was selected by the municipal council due to its lower emissions.
CNG ensures lower carbon emissions, but what is even more important in urban environments is that this truck emits 95 percent fewer particles, unlike its diesel counterparts. In addition to the health benefits, CNG is also considerably cheaper to operate, said Joost Venken, Councillor for Environment and Sustainability.
Hasselt is investing in a cleaner vehicle fleet, and the Scania CNG-powered XT-truck fits right in the municipality’s clean fleet objective.
At the moment, CNG is the most sustainable choice we can make. Electric trucks that meet requirements are not yet available in Belgium, remarked Michel Froidmont, Hasselt’s Councillor for Infrastructure and Public Works.
Venken is keen to emphasise that both Hasselt and the surrounding Limburg Province is at the forefront by operating a non-diesel vehicle with the same manoeuvrability performance.
There is no compromise on power, and compared with electric vehicles, CNG refuelling is considerably faster. Scania’s gas engines can also run equally well on biogas in the future, so we can continue to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, ended Joost Venken.
