Mercedes Benz Econic refuels from a biogas dispenser
Sita (Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux), a private-sector waste disposal company, has ordered 27 Econic natural gas vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth near Karlsruhe. As a result, Sita now has a fleet of 98 Mercedes-Benz Econic trucks in Sweden, 81 of which are fuelled by natural gas. Sita has been using Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT (Natural Gas Technology) trucks for garbage disposal applications for more than six years now. More than 70 of the natural gas Econics are being operated for the first time exclusively with biomethane (purified biogas) produced in-house from renewable sources.
The biogas used is obtained primarily from sewage sludge disposal systems, although garbage disposal facilities also now serve as a source, and is therefore free of emissions and price fluctuations associated with diesel.
Premiered at 2008 International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover in September 2008, the Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT is an environmentally friendly vehicle designed specifically for municipal operations, garbage collection, and short-range distribution. Thanks to its low-emission drive system it helps to keep inner cities clean and quiet. Operation with biogas is particularly environmentally friendly, because it is CO2-neutral.
The vehicle’s emissions are lower than those allowed by the EEV standard, currently the most stringent in the world. Its engine produces neither CO2 nor particulates and is also extremely quiet. The M 906 LAG natural gas engine generates 205 kW (279 hp) from a displacement of 6.88 liters. Power is transferred by a six-speed automatic transmission. EEV stands for “Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle.” Because it more than meets the EEV standard’s requirements, the Econic is permitted to bear the “Blue Angel” seal and may also be driven in any low-emission zone.
Berlin currently has 63 Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT vehicles in operation, Sweden more than 250, Athens 108, Paris 22, Prague 11, and Valencia 36. All in all, there are now over 950 Econic NGTs on the road in Europe.
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