That no manufacturer is currently able to offer a range of ready-to-use heavy duty electric trucks doesn’t mean that logistics can’t reduce its emissions. That’s the message from Iveco’s Jorge Assensio (Medium and Heavy Product Manager and Alternative Fuels Business).
Pointing to Iveco’s range of bio-gas fuelled trucks – with big players, including Ocado, Hermes, Romac, Amazon are already using them – which deliver 95% lower tailpipe emissions, compared with diesel.
“Practical, reliable, 100% emissions-free transport is the goal; what we are aiming for,” he tells ITT Hub News. “This is still some way off, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t medals to be won along the way.”
“In terms of operation, there is almost no difference in operating biomethane-powered trucks to diesel.
“They’re easy to use, easy to refuel and easy to live with – and significantly, they are a superb first-step to getting drivers on-side in moving to a zero carbon future.
“The re-fuelling network is up, running and expanding fast – so for most, range is not an issue.
“And there is very little difference in weight, so payloads remain as adaptable as they are with diesel.
Cost-wise, the economics work too, he says. Yes, they are more expensive to acquire – but for most, a 2 to 3-year payback is “very much the norm.” And against the up-front capital cost of today’s initial emissions-free offerings, there is no comparison …
“Sure, biomethane is an interim solution. We expect its popularity to peak around 2030 when emissions-free solutions become a real world, practical alternative.
“But it is Part 1 of our strategy for eliminating emissions. Part 2 will be battery electric and Part 3 will be hydrogen – in particular, hydrogen fuel cell.”
