We Delivered Our First Tractor Working with LNG in 2018

IVECO Deputy General Manager Tansu Giz, who we interviewed within the scope of our Alternative Fuel Technologies File, indicated that; IVECO Stralis 460 NP is the first tractor in Turkey which works only with LNG and which is unbeatable thanks to its long range.

Expressing that the recognition for natural gas vehicles in Turkey is getting increased rapidly, Giz said that; “We get many questions about alternative fuel vehicles. There are 18 filling stations for CNG, for example, compressed natural gas, but stations for LNG (liquefied natural gas) are still under construction. Europe and the western world are rapidly getting distant to diesel.”

“Together with Fuel Producers, We Made Significant Breakthroughs and Delivered Our First Tractor Working with LNG in 2018”

Stating that alternative fuel technologies are a rapidly developing market, Giz said that; “Both CNG and LNG are developing rapidly. As IVECO, we were unable to give power more than 330 HP but we have released Stralis NP 460 which offers 460 HP and we have delivered the first sales in Turkey. When we look at Europe, the European Union aims to contribute to the environment by increasing the use of natural gas within the region and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by establishing CNG stations every 150 kilometers and LNG stations every 400 kilometers on the routes determined by the Blue Corridor Project. In line with the directives and policies of the European Union, the number of stations and vehicles is increasing day by day. IVECO, the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to see the potential of natural gas in 1991, was able to produce a full range of natural gas-powered trucks, vans and buses. Currently, more than 25,000 natural gas-powered vehicles of IVECO are in service worldwide. In order to maintain this current that we started with CNG with LNG in our country, we made significant strides with the fuel manufacturers and delivered our first tractor working with LNG in 2018.”

“Our Tractor Using LNG started to work on our highways for the first time”

Emphasizing that IVECO has produced 35,000 natural gas engines so far, Giz stated that as IVECO, they do not recommend the post - sales conversion of engines and she said that; “We do not recommend the conversion of diesel engines to natural gas engines because we have seen problems in this area before. An important part of the 35,000 natural gas engines produced by IVECO so far is CNG, for example, compressed natural gas. IVECO, which has produced around 1000 engines out of LNG, which is a liquefied natural gas engine, is one of the most experienced commercial vehicle manufacturers in the production of natural gas engines. With this experience, IVECO Stralis NP 460, which we sold in 2018, gained a breath of fresh air in our country and started to work on our highways for the first time with LNG.”

“It is the first tractor with LNG and it is unbeatable with its long range”

“IVECO Stralis NP has the power of 460 HP, single fuel, double LNG tank and has a range of up to 1600 kilometers and IVECO’s best fuel efficiency technologies and services, compared to diesel truck to save up to 35 percent in fuel expenditure. IVECO Stralis NP-460 is the first tractor offered only in Turkey as working only with LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and is unbeatable with its long range. In addition to air pollution, it also reduces noise pollution to a great extent with extremely quiet operation of less than 71 dBA. A Stralis NP 460 tractor with a full tank can go from Istanbul to Antalya and return back to Istanbul without refueling.”

“It Can Reach 1600 Km Range in One Filling with Two LNG Fuel Tanks”

“Depending on the mission, both CNG and LNG can be used in commercial vehicles. LNG is preferred in long distance missions as the ranges are longer. IVECO Stralis NP can reach a range of 1600 km in one refueling with two LNG fuel tanks of 1080 liters, each one is 540 liters. Since there is no need for a long range in city missions, CNG can be preferred instead of LNG.”

Reduces Carbon Monoxide Release by 90%

Pointed out that although natural gas is a fossil fuel, it is a highly natural fuel, Giz said that; “The most useful part of using this fuel is that it reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 90 percent compared to gasoline or diesel. The fact that it does not produce any waste other than water vapor as a waste ensures that the engine and components remain clean as well as the environment, supporting long-lasting use.”

LNG Stations Under Construction

Expressing that the recognition for natural gas vehicles is getting increased rapidly in Turkey, Giz said that; “We get many questions about alternative fuel vehicles. There are 18 filling stations for CNG, for example, compressed natural gas, but stations for LNG (liquefied natural gas) are still in the installation phase. Europe and the western world are rapidly getting distant to diesel. Developing countries, which are currently applying Euro 3 and Euro 4, are expected to reach Euro 6 in a short time.”

“These developments will encourage the use of alternative fuel”

According to Mc Kinsey Global Trends survey, Euro 6 sales, which are 30 percent in the world in 2018, are expected to reach 85 percent in 2025. Each time the Euro emission norm rises, the cost of the vehicle increases, so these developments will encourage the use of alternative fuels.

“To be Exempted from Tolls on the Motorway for 2 Years by Starting on 1 January 2019”

As it is known, the German Federal Parliament approved the decision to exempt vehicles with more than 7.5 tons of natural gas-powered alternative traction from the tolls on the motorway by starting on 1 January 2019 for two years. This means that natural gas fleets will enjoy the same advantages as electric vehicles. In addition to state aid (12,000 for LNG vehicles, 8000 € for CNG) in the purchase of natural gas vehicles announced in July, this exemption will further increase the economic advantages of these sustainable vehicles for German logistics operators. Transporters  will save 9.3 to 18.7 cents per kilometer per year, depending on weight categories.

“A Tons of Tolerance in Natural Gas Vehicles”

As in Europe, we have a ton of tolerance to the maximum loaded weight in natural gas vehicles, but there is a problem as the General Directorate of Highways still does not report this to inspection stations. We expect this application to be launched as soon as possible in order to avoid problems.