The first four LNG powered Stralis tractors have already been delivered by Iveco Südtirolto the South Tyrolean company Gruber Logistics. Six more will be added over by April. In Lithuania, Gruber already operates two Iveco vehicles with LNG.
The new 460 hp Stralis NP (Natural Power) vehicles are expected to improve the fleet's environmental footprint and save 95 percent CO2 , the company says. In addition, they should reduce the noise pollution during the night delivery or in heavily populated areas.
The decision for liquefied natural gas is the first step in a long-term change process, according to Gruber Logistics. The investment made by GRUBER Logistics takes place at a historic moment of profound change for the world of road haulage: the European directives set the goal of reducing by 30% the CO2 emissions produced by the traffic of commercial vehicles by 2030 and it is clear that future restrictions on diesel engines will free up opportunities for LNG engines.
Alex Gasser from Iveco South Tyrol, highlighted the cooperation with Gruber Logistics, which has been on-going for the last 25 years; it has always been characterized by innovation with particular focus in environmental friendliness and cost optimization. Gruber Logistics, with the Iveco Stralis NP Grand Volume-Low Tractor, will reduce costs, pollution and CO2 emissions.
"As an owner-managed family business headquartered in the middle of the natural heritage of South Tyrol, the subject of sustainability in the transport sector is of course very important to us. That is why we have been consciously putting rail on the market for over 30 years with intermodal transport and are also continuously renewing our fleet of vehicles for the road. At the moment it consists exclusively of vehicles of the lowest emission class, Euro 6 ", says Martin Gruber, Group CEO of Gruber Logistics.
"We act not only because we are aware of our corporate responsibility towards future generations, but also because we believe that this type of transport can be an important added value for our customers", pointed out Stefan Knapp, responsible for the fleet.