500 benefits of LNG

Jost Group – one of the largest pan-European transport and logistics specialists – is heading for a 35-percent conversion of its fleet to liquified natural gas (LNG) by 2020, by placing a major deal for 500 Iveco Stralis NP trucks.

The Stralis NP is designed to be the most sustainable long-distance heavy truck ever manufactured and this is the largest secured deal for Stralis NP vehicles to date. The first 150 vehicles will enter operation during 2018, and the full fleet is expected to be in service by 2020.

The new vehicles will replace four to five-year-old diesel-powered vehicles in the Belgian firm’s fleet of 1 400 trucks and 3 000 trailers. The company already operates 132 Stralis trucks, including two running on compressed natural gas (CNG).

Roland Jost, owner of Jost Group, says: “This marks a key turning point for our business as we begin a strategic move away from our dependence on diesel and towards green logistics, as requested by our customers, who are demanding a more sustainable transport.

“We’re proud to be among the early adopters of this new technology. Our Group is also supporting this with an investment in our own LNG refuelling infrastructure, with plans to open up to three filling stations within our major operating centres in Belgium,” he adds.

Demand for LNG is growing rapidly across Europe, with the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) having identified LNG as the best solution for long-distance road transport in the short term and for the next ten to 15 years.

Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President, elaborates: “Gas offers the widest range of opportunities to replace diesel in the commercial vehicle market – it’s no longer a fuel of tomorrow, it’s a fuel of today.

“Jost Group has clear sustainability goals, and recognises the benefits that our advanced experience in LNG-powered vehicles can bring to its operation. We are extremely pleased to be growing our share of the Jost Group’s fleet, and introducing the Stralis NP and LNG into its operations.”

When running on fossil-derived natural gas, the Stralis NP’s CO₂ emissions are up to ten-percent lower than its diesel equivalent – rising to up to 95-percent lower with the use of biomethane. NOx emissions are 50-percent lower compared to diesel, while engine noise is reduced by around 50 percent.