Israel Rolls with its First Natural Gas HD Truck

Israel has rolled out its first natural gas-powered truck, an Iveco Stralis, which was delivered via a partnership between CNH Industrial and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) working with Israel’s Fuel Choices Initiative (IFCI).

IFCI is a ten-year Israeli Government program, managed through the Prime Minister’s Office, which is dedicated to reducing the World’s dependency on oil for transport and supporting the development of alternative fuels.

The vehicle is a Stralis 4×2 heavy truck from CNH Industrial’s commercial vehicles brand Iveco. It is powered by an Iveco Cursor 8 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Euro VI engine. The Stralis CNG will be supplied to Fridenson Group, one of Israel’s leading logistics companies with an existing fleet of over 140 trucks and trailers.

This delivery is being managed by MCA, the exclusive importer of Iveco as well as several brands belonging to FCA for Israel. Fridenson Group plans to use the CNG truck in a pilot program that demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a cleaner environment.

According to the group, this first step will lead to the replacement of a significant number of diesel engine trucks in favour of CNG-powered models. The advantages of CNG are numerous, both in terms of environmental sustainability as well as customer profitability. Natural gas is a clean burning fuel, with dramatically reduced particulate emissions (-95% in comparison to diesel) and 35% less NOx. Furthermore, CNG makes it possible to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions from 10% up to 100% if biomethane is used.

Looking ahead, MCA will also be importing a 12-metre CNG urban bus from CNH Industrial brand Iveco Bus. A series of demonstrations of the bus’s capabilities will be carried out in the country over a two-month period.

Category: Featured, Green