Natural gas distance record set

 By Colin Windell

Stralis NP 460hp 4x2 tractor unit travels from London to Madrid on natural gas, without refuelling

​The issue is no longer alternative fuel sources, rather it is developing those in play – such as liquid natural gas, electicity, hydrogen etc – to the point where they provide a cost effective replacement offering decent travel mileage.

Recently an Iveco Stralis NP 460 hp truck from the UK completed what is believed to be the longest ever journey by road on a single fill of LNG to demonstrate the suitability of natural gas-powered vehicles for road transport.

Setting off from London, the Stralis NP 4x2 tractor unit was pulling a tri-axle box van trailer and running at a gross vehicle weight of 30 tonnes. After a short ferry crossing from Dover to Calais it completed the 1 728 km road journey without needing to refuel – exceeding the vehicle’s official range of 1 600 km to set a new distance record. This equates to an impressive LNG fuel cost saving for the outward journey of 40%, versus Diesel.

Martin Flach, Alternative Fuels Director of Iveco, says: “Last year we completed John O’Groats to Land’s End on a single fill in a 400 hp Stralis NP, but this time we wanted to set the bar even higher. It was a chance to demonstrate how fuel-efficient the Stralis NP is, and to put our latest 460 hp gas- powered engine to ultimate the test.

“We brimmed the tank before we left London and the first time we stopped for fuel was in Madrid two and a half days later. Running on 100% natural power means there is no diesel to worry about, making it the simplest solution for both the fleet manager and the driver.”

Despite the heavy traffic on the UK side of the English Channel, a strong head wind in France and the hilly Spanish section of the route, the Stralis NP recorded an impressive average fuel consumption of 22,6 kg/100 km.

Prior to the trip, Iveco carefully planned the journey using MyBestRoute: a web-based application developed by Michelin for Stralis NP customers. It allows drivers and fleet managers to select the optimum route for any European journey, including plotting LNG refueling stations and estimating the total cost of the trip for diesel and natural gas-powered trucks.

Iveco was using the journey to demonstrate that natural gas – including CNG, LNG and biomethane – are all viable, realistic, safe and cost-effective alternatives to diesel, available from a growing network of fuel providers in the UK and across the continent.

Compared with an equivalent Euro VI diesel, a Stralis NP running on LNG emits around 90% less NO₂ emissions, 99% less particulate matter, and up to 15% less CO₂ – rising to 95% less CO₂ when using biomethane.

The Stralis NP is available as a 4x2 and 6x2 maximum weight tractor unit, with power outputs of 400 or 460 hp. Iveco also offers medium and heavy rigid trucks running on natural gas, together with an extensive range of Daily Natural Power light commercial vehicles from 3,5 to 7,2 tonnes. All models are available to order today – reinforcing Iveco’s position as a true partner for sustainable transport.

Iveco was the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to look at the potential of natural gas in 1991 – an anticipation that allowed the company to develop a full range of natural gas trucks, vans and buses.

Currently, more than 25 000 Iveco gas-powered vehicles have been delivered into service.
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