During mid-2015 trials of an 18-metre Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered Iveco Stralis, SMET Srl, a European integrated logistics company, and Iveco, a global Italy-based heavy duty vehicle manufacturer, declared there were significant advantages compared with the traditional diesel solution. Subsequently SMET placed a major order with Iveco and the first 10 Stralis LNG tractors have now been delivered.
Thanks to a three-year agreement with Iveco, SMET is able to count on a renewed fleet and provide a more sustainable transport, reports NGV Italy. The agreement provides for the delivery of a total of 330 vehicles, 25% of which will be powered by LNG. The first ten vehicles, model AT440S33T / P, were presented during the ceremony which was held on March 14 at the ARA S.r.l. Parma Dealership in the presence of Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President and Domenico De Rosa, Commercial Director of Smet.
Lahutte commented at the cermony that Iveco’s long-standing commitment to clean technology enabled the company to focus its investments on finding technological solutions with low environmental impact, especially on natural gas which is “the most concrete sustainable alternative diesel”.
“Our vehicles powered by natural gas are already compatible with 100% Bio-Bio-CNG and LNG, are therefore able to offer the incredible opportunity of a CO2-neutral transport. For this reason, Iveco and CNH Industrial are actively supporting the development of biomethane in Europe and especially in Italy, where there is every reason to see this fuel is available and distributed in the near future,” Lahutte continued.
The C-LNG trucks are equipped with Euro VI rated Iveco Cursor 8 engines, delivering 330 hp and are fitted with a cryogenic LNG tank of 510 liters and 4 cylinders CNG (70 liter), which allow a combined range of over 750 kilometers, enabling service delivery over medium and long distance routes. SMET delivers to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Romania and Belgium.
(Source: NGV Italy – an NGV Global Affiliated Association)
