The launch of the UK’s most eagerly-anticipated natural gas truck was held July 10 with the global debut of the new IVECO Stralis NP 460 6×2 tractor unit from the Italy-headed engine, truck and bus major IVECO, a CNH Industrial company. The vehicle was unveiled at an exclusive launch event for customers and dealers at Gasrec’s refuelling site at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) – one of Europe’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) filling stations.
Designed to be “the most sustainable” heavy truck for 44-tonne operation, the Stralis NP 460 6×2 stands apart from competitors for being the first three-axle tractor to operate on 100 percent liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has been engineered in both right-hand and left-hand drive variants.
The new vehicle joins IVECO’s growing gas-powered line-up, which now stretches from 3.5 to 44-tonnes. Named Low Carbon Truck of the Year at the Commercial Fleet Awards 2017, the existing 4×2 Stralis NP range offers a choice of 400hp and 460hp engines – of which there are 25 already in operation in the UK and more than 1 000 across Europe.
This is a really exciting launch for IVECO and marks the moment natural gas moves into mainstream UK volume in a big way. What began as a niche fuel now offers fleets the widest range of opportunities for the future and we’re absolutely committed to helping operators begin the technology transfer from diesel to gas. Bringing this new vehicle to market is the culmination of our more than 20 years development of natural gas technology – packaged into a 6×2 tractor which can deliver a true competitive advantage for UK fleets on both regional and long-distance missions, said Stuart Webster, Business Director, IVECO UK & Ireland.
Customers tell us that vehicle range will be key to winning their orders, and we’re confident that our pure LNG solution will deliver the optimum mileage for a 6×2 gas-powered tractor, said Webster.
IVECO engineers have also worked hard to ensure the new vehicle can accommodate the largest possible LNG tanks, whilst still maintaining 22.5” wheels across all three axles – one of many steps to ensure Stralis NP enjoys the widest possible customer acceptance.
Sitting at the heart of the new vehicle is the 12.9 litre IVECO Cursor 13 NP single-fuel engine, offering the perfect blend of power and performance for the majority of UK-based applications. The vehicle also features IVECO’s latest generation 12-speed Hi-Tronix automated transmission which further improves on the EuroTronic’s driving comfort and performance, whilst adding new functions such as the GPS-based Hi-Cruise predictive cruise control and gear-shifting.
The Stralis NP maximises the environmental advantages of natural gas, regarded as the most eco-friendly fossil fuel for internal combustion engines. Its proven technology delivers a 99 percent reduction of particulate matter (PM) and 60 percent in NOx compared to Euro VI limits, helping to significantly improve air quality.
It also offers fleets the potential to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 95 percent when running on liquefied biomethane (LBM) – also known as liquefied biogas (LBG). The use of LBM has the added benefit of reducing dependency from fossil fuels, as it can be generated from agricultural and urban waste, sewage, or waste from the food industry.
Designed to be extremely quiet in operation, IVECO’s Cursor 13 NP engine records less than 71 dB on the PIEK quiet truck test, adding to the vehicle’s sustainability credentials. Also contributing to the Stralis NP’s low total cost of ownership (TCO) are IVECO’s long service intervals: 90 000 km with this new vehicle, resulting in more time on the road.
The absence of complex after-treatment systems, particulate filters, and active regeneration further add to the low-maintenance advantages of the Stralis NP 460 – which is available with a full range of IVECO Elements repair and maintenance contracts.
Excellence is at the heart of everything we do and this new addition to our natural power range is no exception. Gas is the most obvious replacement for diesel and that’s why we strive to offer ever more efficient vehicles that respect the environment, said Adrian Pipe, Chief Quality Officer for CNH Industrial.
IVECO has pioneered natural gas vehicles for more than 20 years, and consequently, its dealer network is the most experienced with this alternative fuel in the industry. Today they support more than 25,000 natural gas vehicles (NGVs) already delivered into service across Europe.
The Stralis NP 460 6×2 is available to order from dealers nationwide with immediate effect, with the first demonstrators expected to commence trials with UK fleets during October 2018.
