Coca-Cola Enterprises trials first compressed biomethane powered Stralis
Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) has begun trials with
an Iveco Stralis Active Day 21 tonne distribution vehicle running on compressed
biomethane (CBM). It marks the first CBM-powered commercial vehicle to be
operated anywhere in the world by CCE, and the first such Stralis to be
delivered in the UK.
The trial will be used to determine the long-term sustainable transport strategy
of CCE in Great Britain, and has been supported with the installation of a
roadgas LCBM refuelling station at the company's distribution facility in
Enfield, Middlesex.
Darren O'Donnell, Logistics Asset Manager at CCE, explains: "Our primary reason
for selecting CBM is that it has the lowest carbon intensity of all commercially
available alternative fuels, allowing us to benefit from the best possible well-
to-wheel saving.
"The gas used to make the CBM comes from a landfill site in Surrey, which means
it is not depleting any fossil resources. This effectively allows us to power
the Stralis using the latent energy recovered from rubbish thrown away by
society."
The Stralis AD260S30Y/FS-D CNG is purpose-built on the factory-line for natural
gas powered applications and is recommended for operation in the UK with CBM
supplied by Gasrec. It features a six cylinder 7.8 litre Cursor 8 engine which
produces up to 300 hp at 2,000 rev/min and up to 1,100 Nm of torque between
1,100 and 1,650 rev/min, driven through an Allison 3500 six-speed automated
gearbox.
"There are very few gas-powered heavy trucks on the market, but the availability
of a Stralis proved the perfect fit with our business as we already run 50
diesel-powered models, and have been a prominent Stralis customer since 2004,"
says O'Donnell.
The performance of the CBM-powered Stralis will be carefully monitored by CCE
ahead of a future decision regarding its suitability for operation on a wider
scale. This will include detailed independent monitoring by Cenex - the
government's centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies,
with planned vehicle trials to be carried out at Millbrook later this year.
CCE is combining this latest delivery with a second trial to assess the impact
of new aerodynamic bodywork on the fuel consumption of its 21 tonne fleet. This
is seeing the delivery of two regular Stralis AD260S31/FS-D 6x2 rear-steer
rigids, each powered by Cursor 8 diesel engines meeting the latest Enhanced
Environmental friendly Vehicle emissions (EEV) legislation. One of the vehicles
is fitted with a standard curtainslider body manufactured by Bevan Group, whilst
the second incorporates advanced aerodynamic styling to reduce wind slip
resistance, whilst maintaining the internal cubic volume. This bodywork, also
by Bevan Group, includes a curved roof, specially moulded air deflector and cab
collar.
The trio of new vehicles will allow CCE to compare the performance of the CBM-
powered Stralis against a diesel equivalent of the same age and with identical
bodywork. Similarly, the performance of the enhanced aerodynamic vehicle can be
directly compared against the diesel-powered Stralis with regular bodywork.
All three vehicles feature full air-suspension, which ensures a completely flat
chassis regardless of whether the vehicle is unladen, laden, lowered for manual
unloading or raised for 'dock' loading. Each of the new vehicles also benefit
from a rear-steering axle to ensure maximum manoeuvrability in town and city
centres, together with reversing cameras and air-conditioning.
They join a 250-strong fleet of commercial vehicles plated at 7.5 tonnes and
above, of which in excess of 50 per cent have been supplied by Iveco and are
serviced and maintained by the Iveco dealer network. The new Stralis' will be
used for urban multi-drop distribution to high street customers around London
and the M25, carrying out up to 25 drops per day, five days a week.
The new vehicles will be used to support deliveries of soft drinks to around
20,000 distributors served by CCE in Great Britain.
www.cokecce.co.uk