10 | COVER 10
10 | COVER
Renault Trucks Range D Wide 320 CNG - ‘Doing it under pressure naturally’
As a country, we are being told regularly that Ireland is falling behind on its agreed commitments to tackling climate change. When academics are invited onto the radio talk shows they point the finger at what they see as the biggest contributors, usually agriculture and transport. They often offer simple solutions to the effect that if we can force farmers and transport operators to eliminate their emissions all will be ok. However, few seem to realise the major steps that many in the transport sector in particular, have already taken without any financial support.
One such company is Panda Waste & Recycling which is a member of the Beauparc Group of companies. Panda has invested intensively in its fleet with a range of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered trucks and is already making the move to electric. The investment goes beyond the acquisition of vehicles as Panda is also in the process of installing a CNG filling point at its Ballymount premises. When completed FLEETTRANSPORT | SEPT-OCT 21
the site will be open to other operators, greatly assisting the move to CNG. Fleet Transport took one of these recent investments out for a drive – a CNG powered Renault Range D Wide 320 6x2 rear-steer, rear-end loader (REL). The Renault Trucks Range D Wide is a truck purpose-built for either the light or heavy distribution sector. It has a pleasant profile that sits well in the urban environment, coming with all the attributes necessary to make it a success in that market segment. Easy access with a low two step entry and a wide opening door makes the constant in and out daily life of the distribution driver that bit easier. While this may not be an issue for the driver of an REL, it is important for any working crew members on board. Although no one will be sleeping in the truck and overnights are not a consideration, most trucks operating in this sector require a myriad of control boxes and monitors to operate the necessary ancillary equipment. These control units must be fitted without encroaching too much into the space for at least two operatives and occasionally more. The cab must also be able to safely store other equipment such as PPE and certain tools, and the Range D Wide caters well to these needs. In addition, this test unit came with a sturdy coat rack mounted on the rear wall, a vital component for hanging wet gear on the all too frequent rainy days.
Due to the nature of the work and the area of operation, it is important to maximise any possibility to increase the driver’s area of vision. Here the Range D Wide scores well by featuring a see-through vision door on the near-side, which, when combined with the low sloping line of the window, makes the door almost a complete glass panel. Thankfully the door has an electrically operated sliding window to provide adequate ventilation. One small issue
noted regarding vision relates to the size of the mirrors, the mirror arm assembly and their positioning. These components in certain situations can combine to create a significant blind spot particularly on the left side and is something the driver needs to be highly conscious of. This Range D was powered by Renault Truck’s six-cylinder NGT9 diesel. The 9-litre gas unit develops 239 kW (325 hp) at 2,100 rpm, and delivers its max torque of 1,360 Nm over a short-range from 1,300 to 1,400 rpm. The test unit was fitted with a 6.18:1 rear axle which meant that running at 90 km/h. the tachometer sits at 1,836 rpm.
