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Clean, green Daily
Page 16
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Gas-powered vehicles have a long but chequered history in the UK. However, Iveco is convinced it has the right vehicle for local councils, with the right fuel too.
Words: Brian Weatherley
WHEN IT COMES to providing a viable alternative-fuelled light truck, Iveco UK is adamant its latest Daily 65C14G, powered by liquid biomethane (LBM), is the right vehicle, with the right fuel. at the right time. That view has recently been buoyed by the results of a six-month trial of a 65C14G cage tipper used on recycling and street collection work on behalf of Camden Council.
During the trial, the gas-powered Daily covered 7,040km. consuming LBM at a rate of 24.6kg/100km, while a similarly-tasked diesel Daily returned 31.4lit/100km. It's not easy to make direct cost comparisons (not least as LBM is supplied by weight rather than volume), but according to Iveco: "The amount of LBM consumed per month (370kg) for the gas vehicle (working on a basis of 1,500km per month) equated to displacing 444 litres of diesel, showing a 30% fuel saving per month."
Any fleet considering a switch to gas vehicles has to consider the infrastructure costs. However, the recent decision by Iveco to team up with LBM supplier Gasrec (see page 48) has made the process of buying a complete package that little bit easier. CM had the chance recently to drive the Camden Council Daily during Iveco's open day at the Millbrook test track. In simple terms, the conversion to gas involves Iveco taking its Euro-5 3.0-litre EGR diesel engine (offered in the Daily up to 180hp), replacing the injectors with spark plugs, fitting a regulator, injecting the gas directly into the inlet manifold rather than the cylinders and adding a spark ignition system, all of which is controlled by an electronic management unit. Fuel is stored in liquid form at 200 bar. The gas engine's compression ratio (12:1) is lower than its diesel equivalent's (19:1). Otherwise, the Daily remains unchanged, including its back axle ratio and standard sixspeed gearbox.
There's no difference in starting procedures: just turn the key and go. Firing up the gas-powered engine, you're clearly aware of the lack of diesel knock. And if it's quiet starting up, it's even quieter when you get rolling. Indeed, the loudest noise from our laden Daily 65C14G tended to come from the wire cage body!
Although the gas-powered 6.5-tonner has less power than its nearest diesel-powered 1Daily equivalent (136hp versus 146hp), it offers the same torque of 350Nm. And while its hill-climbing performance is a tad reduced, we doubt the average driver will notice. •
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