A crowning end to 2017 for Iveco

Iveco ended 2017 on a high as its Stralis NP range beat off competition from rival manufacturers to be named Low Carbon Truck of the Year at the Commercial Fleet Awards 2017. 

This follows news in November that Iveco had been named in the United Kingdom Large Goods Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year at the GreenFleet Awards, and winner of the Leader in Low Emissions Vehicle category at the National Air Quality Awards.

Announcing the win, the Commercial Fleet Awards judging panel said: “Iveco was willing to try something different and succeeded in producing a vehicle that significantly reduces both CO₂ and NOx emissions.

“Its use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power is a breakthrough for long-distance trucking and marks a major stride forward in making alternative fuels operationally acceptable within the industry.”

Pierre Lahutte, Iveco brand president, commented: “It’s fantastic to see Iveco’s market and technology leadership in natural power is winning the recognition it deserves. This latest victory is further endorsement that natural gas represents the future for sustainable transport, and a proven technology which fleets can adopt today.

“Stralis NP is a hugely capable heavy truck, which, following the launch of our new Cursor 13 343 kW (460 hp) engine, offers a solution for even the most demanding long-haul missions.”

The new Stralis NP 460 hp was launched internationally in October 2017 and can deliver up to 2 000 Nm of torque, matched with a 12-speed Hi-Tronix automated transmission. It joins the existing Stralis NP 400 hp model, with both vehicles configurable to run on CNG, combined CNG and LNG, or LNG – with twin LNG tanks offering a range of up to 1 600 km.

Both Stralis NP models deliver up to a 15-percent improvement in fuel economy and up to nine-percent lower total cost of ownership, versus an equivalent diesel vehicle.

The natural gas engine technology means particulate levels are negligible and NOx emissions are 60-percent lower than the Euro-6 limits on long-haul operations. The Stralis NP is also much quieter than a diesel-powered truck, with noise levels being reduced by about 50 percent.

Since 1991, more than 23 000 gas-powered Iveco vehicles have been sold.