Launched yesterday (10 July) at an event for customers and dealers at Gasrec’s refuelling site at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, the vehicle is the first three-axle tractor to operate on 100% liquefied natural gas (LNG).
It has been engineered in both right-hand and left-hand drive variants and, says IVECO’s Stuart Webster, its launch “marks the moment natural gas moves into mainstream UK volume in a big way”.
He adds: “Bringing this new vehicle to market is the culmination of our more than 20 years’ development of natural gas technology – packaged into a 6x2 tractor which can deliver a true competitive advantage for UK fleets on both regional and long-distance missions.”
Vehicle range has been a key factor, and the Stralis NP 460 6x2 runs for around 750km – ideal for operators whose vehicles go out and back on the same day, says the manufacturer.
The LNG tanks, mounted either side of the chassis, are designed to be the largest possible to still allow 22.5in wheels across all three axles.
The vehicle is powered by the 12.9-litre IVECO Cursor 13 NP single-fuel engine and the latest generation 12-speed Hi-Tronix automated transmission, with new functions such as the GPS-based Hi-Cruise predictive cruise control and gear-shifting.
Natural gas delivers a 99% reduction of PM and 60% in NOx compared to Euro VI limits, while CO2 emissions can be cut by up to 95% when running on liquefied biomethane.
The Cursor 13 NP engine records less than 71dB on the PIEK quiet truck test.
Other features include IVECO’s fuel-saving Driving Style Evaluation system to monitor and improve driver behaviour, an Ecoswitch speed and torque limiter, Ecofleet for the most efficient shifting strategy, an optimised rear axle ratio, low-rolling resistance tyres and access to IVECO’s Fuel Consultancy Services.
The Stralis NP has service intervals of 90,000 km and it is available with a range of IVECO Elements R&M contracts.
Using telematics, each vehicle will be monitored by IVECO’s gas technology team to ensure any potential issues are quickly identified, so boosting vehicle uptime.
The Stralis NP 460 6x2 is available to order from dealers now; the first demonstrators are expected to be on the road in October 2018.