Gas-light-ing

Iveco’s S-Way range

could well be the firm’s last diesel heavy truck, certainly for Western Europe as by the time it is due for replacement, diesel engines should be in the minority, and legislation will slowly kill them off. Accordingly, every manufacturer is looking at alternative fuels, be it gas, electric or hydrogen.

Electric trucks are improving, but are still in their infancy and currently too expensive, too heavy and have inadequate range.

One alternative fuel is gas – either Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Iveco has been a big proponent of gas trucks and it has steadily improved its gas offerings.

Until relatively recently, the best it could do for the heavies was a 4x2 Stralis with a 400hp output, not really ideal for 44 tonnes. But four years ago, it unveiled its 460hp Stralis 6x2 with an LNG option, perfect for 44 tonnes.

On LNG, the range for a 4x2 went up to about 700 miles between fills, and the only issue with a 6x2 was the reduced fuel tanks, which limited the range compared with a 4x2 to about 450 miles. For CNG, only available as a 4x2 the range is about 400 miles.

The biggest issue with gas trucks is availability of fuel as the network for gas stations is still woefully inadequate and likely to be the biggest factor to put people off gas trucks. But it is slowly improving.

For the right type of operation, gas trucks are a viable alternative to diesel, but some firms are opting to set up their own filling capabilities and keep their gas trucks on a very tight rein.

I took a new S-Way 460NP 4x2 running on CNG - out for a day’s drive to see how it performed and to see if it can sway the mind of even the most ardent diesel-head.

Technical overview

From the outside there’s not a lot to tell you the truck runs on gas, apart from the NP badge. Look closer and you’ll notice the fuel tank is different. Instead of the more cylindrical diesel tank, the CNG relies on a number of smaller cylinders hidden behind a panel while makes the truck look like it has side skirts. On LNG trucks, there is one larger cylinder instead of the normal diesel tank. Under high roof twin bunk sleeper cab, the same Cursor 13 12.9-litre straight six engine is used, it merely uses gas as opposed to diesel to power it. Ivecos’ gas engines are either the Cursor 9 8.7-litre in 340 and 400hp outputs or this, the bigger engine at 460hp.

However, in CNG form the 12.9-litre engine only develops 460hp and 2,000 Nm of torque, the same as the diesel Cursor 11 at the same output so there is a weight penalty to consider there. The overall weight – always very favourable on any Iveco – is still 7,875kg, which for a high roof 4x2 tractor is impressive.

The gearbox is Iveco’s Hi-Tronix 12-speed automated which is easy to use and performs very well. The cruise control is easy to use and effective, and like all Ivecos, the five-stage engine brake is superb and easy to use, and above all, effective.

On the road

Is there any difference in performance of a gas truck over a diesel? In fairness there isn’t. 460hp is more than adequate, but if you want more oompf, then that is not available. But the reality is 460hp is adequate for pretty much every operator at 40-44 tonnes so it should not be an issue. I had it loaded at close to 40 tonnes and I took it on a circular trip, including a visit to a gas station at Crick where I topped it up, not because the truck especially needed it, but to see the practice in operation.

I enjoyed a mix of motorway, dual carriageway and single carriageway roads and on the latter, there was plenty of twisting and turning on the ‘back roads’, and it performed admirably.

So, in terms of performance you really won’t notice much difference. It did seem a bit noisier, but the sound insulating inside the cab drowned that out. It did emit a bit of steam when it was fired up but that soon cleared and was never an issue.

Filling up is easy, but there are staff on standby at the filling stations to run you through the procedure and do it for you if you so desire. You have to be shown how to use the gas pumps safely and effectively but once trained, it’s simple.

Making the switch

As a truck, it really isn’t any different to a diesel. It’s the support that is the biggest factor in making the switch. Should you go gas? Well, like anything, especially something new, there are plenty of pros and plenty of cons.

The pros are its better for the environment, there are tax advantages and LEZ charge advantages. The fuel is – generally - cheaper to buy, and it works out about 10p a mile less to operate a gas truck, which saves you typically anything up to £10,000 a year.

The cons are the truck itself is more expensive to buy (or lease), and operators of CNG trucks say they are “typically about £30,000” more expensive compared with a diesel equivalent. With that in mind, you only start to make that money back on year three or four. So, you need to do you sums right. It needs to be used on the right operation as well – and double shifting can definitely a winner.

The biggest factor is the infrastructure, and this will probably be the driver in making the switch. If you have no gas stations near your yard, then it could be a nonstarter. But if you have one or two on your routes then its less of a hassle. If you have the ability to fuel at your yard, then it’s much easier. And that is where gas trucks – currently – come into their own – on ‘repeat itinerary’ regular runs, on dedicated contracts where there is the scope to fill up regularly.

The biggest worry for any driver of a gas truck is running out of gas, and a closed gas stations can be a nightmare if you regularly use it, so it’s all about the planning.

Gas trucks might also be restricted. If you do have a gas fleet and a diesel fleet, and the former is tied in to a particular job, it might not be possible, or at least wise, to chuck a gas truck out on a diesel truck’s job.

Conclusions

As a truck the S-Way NP is nice to drive, the cab is excellent. It’s a stunning truck and lends itself to superb liveries.

Back up remains less extensive with Ivecos on the whole, but it doesn’t have too much competition on the gas market, especially in the tractor market, and the brand is typically cheaper.

The biggest factor will be simple – it is suitable for your operation or are you leaving yourself open to issues if you can’t get the gas? That needs to be the biggest concern and the driving factor, because as a product there’s not a lot to fault it on. You also need to think about how you acquire the vehicle. Given technology is moving fast – both in gas and other alternative fuels, leasing might be a better option as you’ll need it for at least four years, but at the end of that period, what else will be on the market? And more importantly will there be a market for secondhand gas trucks if they are in anyway obsolete, outdated or simply not a match for new products? Worth thinking about.

In short, as a gas truck the S-Way NP is a lovely truck to drive, it has appeal both in looks and its green credentials. The biggest factor is the infrastructure and the chance gas trucks could get overtaken in the technological advancements of other forms of propulsion, such as electric. That is unlikely to happen in the life of the truck were you to buy one tomorrow, but long term it might be an issue on the residuals.

If you want a gas truck, then the Iveco is close to top of the pile. But you need to know if it’s suitable for your operation. General UK tramping, then it probably isn’t. Ringfenced, repeat work on a set route and job, provided there is the gas fuelling infrastructure nearby, then it most definitely is.