Body Shop goes to gas
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by John Kendall
• A compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered ERF EC 17tonne rigid has joined the 11strong Body Shop distribution fleet, operated by the Lane Group. The ERF will work on retail distribution routes in the South and West of England, using British Gas re-fuelling stations in Southampton, Bristol and Slough. Eight high pressure gas containers are fitted to the vehicle, giving a range of around 400 miles.
Power comes from Cummins' 10-litre L10 240G natural gas engine, developed to meet the stringent US 1991 emission standards for buses. The engine is based on the L10 diesel engine used by ERF, Foden and Seddon Atkinson in the UK.
In gas guise, the L10 produces 240hp (179kW) at 2,100rpm and 850Ibft (1,153Nm) of torque at 1,400rpm. An Allison automatic gearbox is used on the Body Shop ERF. The gas engine has many parts in common with the diesel L10 but about 30% new parts are used. The PT diesel injection system is replaced by carburettor and spark ignition. Other
changes include a water-cooled Holset turbocharger with wastegate, developed in Huddersfield and a two-way catalytic convertor in the exhaust system.
The lean-burn engine offers considerably reduced exhaust emissions compared to current low-emissions diesel engines. Certification tests showed the L10 CNG engine produces 60% less NOx and 80% less particulates than required by the tough California 1993 limits.
This vehicle is the first in Europe fitted with the Cummins gas engine. More than 500 are already in use with bus and urban vehicle operators in Canada and the US.
The gas engine and ancillary equipment carry a heavy weight penalty. Kerb weight is a hefty 10.02 tonnes leaving close on seven tonnes payload. According to Peter Smith, operations manager for the Lane Group, the gas vehicle is around a tonne heavier than the catalysed diesels already in operation with the Body Shop. "Average payload is approximately five and a half tonnes, so the weight is not a problem."
Up to three more gas powered trucks are likely to join the current vehicle and other fuels are under consideration. "We looked at bio-diesel and we are in the very early stages of looking at hydrogen produced from wind powered electricity", says Smith. "Methane can also be generated from landfill sites and we are looking at that."