12 minute read
AwARDS
The winners of the seventeenth running of the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the year 2022 Awards, in association with AIB Finance & Leasing have been announced. Following comprehensive appraisals of all the contenders, winners include MercedesBenz, Volvo Trucks and Iveco. In the Fleet Transport Irish Green Commercial of the year Awards 2022, supported by Gas networks Ireland, Dennis Eagle, Renault Trucks, Mercedes-Benz and MAn were successful.
In the Flagship Tractor-unit category, the recently launched Mercedes-Benz Actros Edition 2 caught the imagination, achieving the most votes from the expert jury panel.Volvo Trucks scooped the two main prizes in the Distribution rigid classes. The Volvo FM 330 4x2 won the Medium class and the Volvo FM 380 6x2 took the honours in the Heavy 26t GVW section.
Alongside the prize-winning diesel powered trucks, the Fleet Transport Irish Green Commercial of the Year Awards featured two alternative powered divisions – natural gas and electric. Iveco’s achievement in being one of the early advocators of natural gas right across its model line from light to heavy commercials is noteworthy. On this occasion, the new Iveco S-WAY NP (Natural Power) with its 460hp CNG powered tractor-unit was rewarded with the heavy-duty class, with the Daily NP CNG was victorious in the light commercial segment. Gas Networks Ireland is the associate sponsor for these awards. Zero emission trucks and vans were also honoured with specially commissioned stained-glass prize by Magpie Art. In the heavy-duty Electric category, Dennis Eagle picked up its first major title with its new eCollect all-electric refuse truck, while in the Distribution sector, the new Renault Range D16 Z.E. 4x2 rigid was recognised here.
At the lighter end, the new Maxus eDeliver 9 electric and the MercedesBenz eVito 111 were acknowledged.
Paying tribute to the award victors, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport said: “Congratulations to the prize winners, all worthy victors in a high quality competition. While diesel power will be with us for years to come, it was great to see an increasing number of more environmentally friendly commercials becoming available from manufacturers in the natural gas and electric fields. Thanks again to the truck
and van brands for their co-operation and to the sponsors AIB Finance & Leasing and Gas Networks Ireland.”
Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award is presented to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months, which has made the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. Only trucks available for the group test exercise are eligible for judging and voting. This judgement relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
FlEEt transport IrIsH truCk oF tHE YEar 2022
Associate Sponsor
Pictured (l-r) Fergus Conheady, Laura Cooke, Keith Tanner and Gerry McDonnell, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing and Patrick Power, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles.
Expressing gratitude to members of the Fleet Transport team, sponsors and the organisers of the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards programme, Fergus Conheady, MercedesBenz Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager said he was “proud to receive this award in recognition of the limited edition, Mercedes-Benz Actros Edition 2, of which only 400 were ever made”.
Fleet transport Irish truck of the Year awards 2022 Distribution Category (Heavy) winner: Volvo FM 380 6x2
Martin Tomlinson, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland (left) accepting the award from Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport
Christian Coolsaet, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, says: “Volvo has always had a strong presence in the three-axle rigid market, but this award is proof if any were needed that the new FM has really delivered on its promise. Class-leading comfort, agility, convenience and outstanding visibility come as standard; this is a truck which will help our customers to attract and retain the very best drivers in a highly competitive sector.”
Fleet transport Irish truck of the Year awards 2022 Distribution Category (Medium) winner: Volvo FM 330 4x2
Martin Tomlinson, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland (left) accepting the award from Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport
“Winning this award is a credit to the new FM’s low mounted cab, excellent visibility, exceptional comfort, and the wealth of safety features which help to make it a multi-drop driver’s dream. It also provides the same fully digital instrument display found in our flagship FH16, simplifying the driver’s interactions and minimising distractions when accessing critical information.” added Christian.
FlEEt transport IrIsH truCk oF tHE YEar 2022
Associate Sponsor
Fleet transport Irish Green Commercial awards 2022 Electric truck Category (Heavy) winner: Dennis Eagle eCollect Fleet transport Irish Green Commercial awards 2022 Electric truck Category (Medium) winner: renault range D16 Z.E.
Pictured (l-r) - Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Harry Nash, Setanta Vehicle Sales and Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing
Pictured (l-r) - Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Andy Graves, Dennis Eagle; Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing and Martin Ryan, Dennis Eagle Ireland.
Pictured (l-r) - Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing; Andy Graves, Dennis Eagle; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport and Martin Ryan, Dennis Eagle Ireland
“Dennis Eagle Ireland is delighted to have won the Fleet Transport Irish Green Commercial Award in the Heavy Electric Vehicle category with our Dennis Elite eCollect, the Fully-Electric 27-tonne 6x2 Rear Steer RCV. It’s the only OEM fully integrated 100% electric Rubbish Collection Vehicle. We have a number of these vehicles on the road working daily and with more ready for 2022, and we feel are the way forward for the waste collection industry.” “Setanta Vehicle Sales and Renault Trucks are delighted and proud to win the Fleet Transport Irish Green Commercial Award for the Renault Range D16 Z.E. in the Medium Electric Vehicle category. This is a testament to the research and development Renault Trucks has invested in its Zero Emission programme and shows the commitment made to make a difference in the drive towards Carbon Neutrality.”
Fleet transport Irish Green Commercial awards 2022 Electric Van (large) winner: MaXus eDElIVEr9
Pictured (l-r) - Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing; Denise Harris, CEO, Harris Group; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; John McEvoy, Harris Group and Karl Haughton, Maxus.
On receiving the award, Denise Harris, CEO of Harris Group, said: “This award from Fleet Transport is really important to us as it affirms MAXUS’s position as a leader in the eLCV industry. At MAXUS we take pride in going the extra mile, providing more choice than ever to commercial vehicle buyers who are looking
FlEEt transport IrIsH truCk oF tHE YEar 2022
Associate Sponsor
to make the change to an electric van. The e DELIVER 9 is the latest EV launched by MAXUS. As our new flagship vehicle, introduced to market last December, the e DELIVER 9 showcases what MAXUS represents - where quality, safety, innovation, and reliability all come together to create something special. Winning Large Electric Van of the Year is recognition of this and proves that the e DELIVER 9 is a vehicle that everyone should sit up and take note.”
Fleet transport Irish Green Commercial awards 2022 Electric Van (Medium) winner: Mercedes-Benz eVito
Pictured (l-r) - Fergus Conheady, Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles; Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Transport and Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing.
Receiving the award, Fergus Conheady, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager, thanked the Fleet Transport Awards organisers for this recognition, adding: “To receive this award at a time when climate change is so frequently in the news is a particular honour and is recognition that the approach by Mercedes-Benz towards e-mobility is on the right path. The eVito is part of our investment programme designed to create vehicles to counteract the problems of increasing urbanisation, growing traffic levels, stricter air purity requirements and demands for sustainable mobility.”
Fleet transport Irish Green Commercial awards 2022 natural Gas (truck) winner: IVECo s-waY np
“As the attention on green credentials in heavy transport grows, we’re very proud that our pioneering natural gas trucks continue to forge the path ahead. With the IVECO S-WAY, we are able to continue our progress in the sector by leveraging our well-proven Natural Power powertrain technology with one of the freshest vehicles on the market,” stated Vincenzo Nicolo, M.D. Iveco UK & Ireland.
Fleet transport Irish Green Commercial awards 2022 natural Gas (Van) winner: IVECo Daily np
Pictured (l-r) –David Hanahoe, Gas Networks Ireland; Mark Smith, Emerald Truck & Van; Vincenzo Nicolo, M.D. Iveco UK & Ireland; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport and Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing
Pictured (l-r) – Paul White, Fleet Transport; Stephen Sproule, Emerald Truck & Van; David Hanahoe, Gas Networks Ireland (Sponsor); Mark Smith, Emerald Truck & Van; Paolo Vota, Iveco UK & Ireland, Vincenzo Nicolo, M.D. Iveco UK & Ireland; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing; Joe Ryan, Emerald Truck & Van; Jodi Byrne, McCulla Ireland and Adam Harris, Iveco UK & Ireland “With almost 45-years’ experience leading the way in heavy-duty light commercials, it’s great to see continued recognition for our boundary pushing product. CNG/Bio-CNG fuelled Daily continues to offer an alternative to conventional diesel power across its enormous range of body options and up to 7.2-tonne GVW. It offers operators the opportunity to decarbonise their operations no matter the mission,” commented Vincenzo.
Text: Jarlath Sweeney / Photos: Cathal Doyle
FlEEt transport IrIsH truCk oF tHE YEar 2022
Associate Sponsor
Ireland’s first CNG grab tipper truck
Pictured with Ireland’s first CNG grab tipper truck are David O’Brien, Technical Sales, Gleeson Truck Bodies; James Barry, CNG Project Lead at Gas Networks Ireland; PJ Gleeson Managing Director, Gleeson Truck Bodies.
Ireland is another step closer to decarbonising its heavy commercial transport sector with the country’s first compressed natural gas (CnG) tipper grab truck now on the road.
TIPP TIPPER IS FIRST OF A KIND
Commissioned by national gas network operators, Gas Networks Ireland, to help decarbonise its works fleet, the truck was developed by cutting-edge, family-owned Irish truck body manufacturing company, Gleeson Truck Bodies 20km east of Thurles in Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary.
It not only meets but exceeds the requirements of the EU Clean Vehicles Directive.
Managing Director of Gleeson Truck Bodies, PJ Gleeson, said:
“As well as following the family’s 53-year tradition of producing high quality products, we are constantly evolving and diversifying to meet our customers’ demands, from a once small agricultural equipment manufacturer to a cutting-edge truck body manufacturing company.
“More recently we have been looking for new ways to play our part in decarbonising the transport sector. CNG fuelled trucks are the future of cleaner commercial vehicles on Irish roads and we are proud to be at the forefront of this journey.”
CNG – A DECARBONISATION SOLUTION FOR HEAVY VEHICLES
In Ireland transport remains one of the most difficult areas to decarbonise. Heavy commercial vehicles, such as tipper grab trucks, heavy goods vehicles and buses, that are currently relying on diesel power, are responsible for approximately 30% of transport emissions despite representing only 4% of the transport on Irish roads.
A proven and reliable alternative to diesel, CNG is natural gas which has been compressed to fit into a natural gas vehicle’s tank and can deliver well-towheel carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions of up to 23% (CENEX, 2019) and nitrous oxide (NOx) by up to 50% (UK Department of Transport, 2018). It is particularly suitable for use in long-haul trucks, heavy passenger vehicles and other commercial vehicles where electric solutions are not a viable option.
CnG vehicle numbers:
n Ireland: up more than 50% in 2020
n Europe: more than 2 million
n Worldwide: more than 28 million
n Grant schemes available to support purchase
LOWER CARBON EMISSIONS NOW; CARBON NEUTRAL IN THE FUTURE
As the volume of carbon neutral biomethane on the network increases, Gas Networks Ireland’s tipper truck and other vehicles refuelling from the gas network will increasingly reduce their carbon footprint without changing a thing, driving increasingly more sustainable supply chains and industries across the country.
In 2022 Gas Networks Ireland will fuel the truck with 100% renewable biomethane through the purchase of renewable gas certificates, delivering total well-to-wheel carbon emissions reduction of over 90% versus its diesel equivalent depending on the mix of substrates used to produce the biomethane (Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, 2020).
This is a strong example of how Ireland can decarbonise a section of the transport sector for which electric vehicles are not a viable option.
Ireland’s first CnG grab tipper truck:
n Lower carbon emissions
n Exceeds EU Clean Vehicles Directive requirements
n Predictive side scan
n Forward collision avoidance system
n Low entry cab
CNG STATIONS
To support the increase in cleaner CNG vehicles hitting the road, Gas Networks Ireland is continuing its rollout of CNG refuelling stations across Ireland, with four stations now located at Circle K’s forecourts in Dublin Port, Clonshaugh, Cashel and on the Ballysimon Road in Limerick City.
A fifth station is almost completed in Cavan and a further eight are in planning and development. Three private CNG stations are also in operation.
GRANTS AVAILABLE
To help Ireland’s fleet operators and hauliers transition to cleaner, affordable CNG vehicles such as this innovative tipper grab truck, Gas Networks Ireland has a CNG Vehicle Grant Scheme which provides grants of up to €5,000 for new CNG vehicles, up to maximum of €60,000 per business.
The CNG Vehicle Grant Scheme is co-financed by the European Union’s TEN-T Programme under the Connecting Europe Facility as part of the Green Connect Project. Applications are now being accepted at www.gasnetworks.ie/ cngvehiclegrant.
TEST DRIVE IT FOR YOURSELF
With the introduction of the EU Clean Vehicles Directives that requires public bodies to purchase a certain percentage of clean vehicles, Gas Networks Ireland is currently inviting local authorities and fleet operators around the country to test drive this CNG grab tipper truck and see the benefits for themselves.
If you would like a test drive, please contact Gas Networks Ireland’s CNG team via email at cng@gasnetworks.ie.
After the initial period as a demo truck, it will become a permanent part of Gas Networks Ireland’s own works fleet.
Ireland’s CNG refuelling network is growing Paving the way for sustainable renewable gas in transport
Clonshaugh
Dublin Ballysimon Road Limerick
Cashel Tipperary
Progress Naturally
Dublin Port Dublin
