Australian truck market leader, Isuzu Trucks, has enhanced its range with the recent release of four ultra low emission N and F Series CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) – powered trucks, providing environmentally conscious buyers with a true alternative to diesel fuel.
Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan), pioneered compressed natural gas vehicles in the early 1990s and currently commands approximately 70 per cent share of Japan’s commercial CNG vehicle market – sales to date exceed 10,000 units.
The latest generation of Isuzu CNG trucks comprise the NLR 200 CNG, NPR 300 CNG, FSR 700 CNG and FSR 850 CNG models, offering comparable performance to, and in some cases exceeding, that of their diesel counterparts, while also delivering reduced exhaust emissions, most notably harmful particulate matter (PM) which is zero in the new vehicles.
A further benefit of the Isuzu CNG range is lower running costs due to more stable natural gas pricing and the ability to enter into a long term contract with a local supplier for better balance sheet control.
According to Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Product Planning and Engineering Support Manager, Colin White, the new Isuzu CNG models offer an excellent balance of power, refinement and environmental performance.
“The Isuzu CNG range very comfortably exceeds EURO V and Japanese New Long Term 05 (J-NLT 05) environmental ratings required under ADR 80/03 legislation, not due for introduction until 2011,” Colin White said. “These models even meet some performance criteria under proposed EURO VI standards, for which an introduction
date is yet to be finalised for Australia.
“Emitting zero PM and less than 0.2 grams of NOx per kilowatt hour, the Isuzu CNG trucks better the maximum PM and NOx (nitrogen oxide) engine exhaust emissions required under proposed EURO VI requirements which mandates a 50 per cent reduction in PM, and 77 per cent reduction in NOx from EURO V ratings.
“Overall, the CNG engines provide greenhouse gas reductions in the order of 15 to 30 per cent – and these are conservative figures.”
For further information, please contact Jeff Birdseye, Marketing Manager at Isuzu Australia Limited on (03) 9644 6666.
Corio Waste Management has recently put its first Isuzu NPR 300 CNG truck into service for the City of Casey in Victoria, giving a new meaning to the term ‘green’ waste.
Winning a lucrative long term contract based on the environmental credentials of the Isuzu NPR 300 CNG, Corio Waste Management’s newly delivered garbage compactor is specified with a MacDonald Johnston rear loading compactor body, and is used exclusively to collect public litter and recyclables within the City of Casey.
According to Corio Waste Management’s General Manager, Matthew Dickens, the City of Casey preferred the use of alternative fuelled trucks for its public
litter collection services.
“During the tendering process for the public litter collection contract, the City of Casey clearly stated that it would give preference to contractors who used alternative fuelled trucks,” Matthew Dickens said. “Corio Waste Management had already considered converting a number of its existing trucks to run on Liquefied Natural Gas or CNG using aftermarket conversions.
“When Isuzu released a factory backed CNG truck, which suited our needs on the City of Casey contract, we purchased the product right away.”
According to Matthew Dickens – a qualified environmental scientist and carbon accounting and carbon management expert – the Isuzu CNG NPR 300 truck delivers significant savings in terms of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions over its diesel counterparts.
“The Isuzu CNG truck is great for the environment – it is one of the cleanest trucks available on the market,” he said. “It emits zero PM, and around 50 per cent less NOx than a diesel truck in the equivalent weight class. In addition, the Isuzu NPR CNG surpasses all government truck emissions regulations, such as Australian Design Rule 80/03 and Euro V due to be introduced in January next year.”
With a strong environmental background, Matthew Dickens has also implemented a Carbon Management Strategy for the company, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality and work towards quantifying and addressing its full life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint over time.
“Corio Waste Management prepared a GHG inventory for the first time for financial year 2008–09 and has made a commitment to reduce its GHG emissions by 20 per cent of 2008–09 net emissions by 2011–12, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2020,” he said.
“Using alternative fuel vehicles is an important step in this process, and we will be replacing the older Isuzu trucks on fleet with CNG models in the coming years.”
Fitted with a MacDonald Johnston JM6 rear loading garbage compactor, the Isuzu NPR 300 CNG works seven days a week, collecting public litter and recyclables. The truck traverses around 200 kilometres a day and has already returned notable financial savings for Corio Waste Management.
“The Isuzu NPR CNG has delivered substantial fuel cost savings for Corio Waste Management, as natural gas is far cheaper than diesel,” he said.
“With Advanced Fuels Technology installing a CNG gas compressor for us at our depot in Dandenong South, we have the luxury of securing a fixed long term deal with our gas supplier.
“Our drivers have been very impressed with the power of the Isuzu NPR 300 CNG – they couldn’t notice the performance difference between the Isuzu CNG 130 gas engine and a conventional diesel engine.”
Australian truck market sales leader, Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has been honoured with the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) ‘Grow Me the Money’ sustainability program award for the second consecutive year.
IAL was recognised for its efforts in completing the 12 step VECCI and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA Victoria) ‘Grow Me the Money’ sustainability program, which saw the company reduce its Port Melbourne head office’s electricity consumption by 20 per cent on the previous financial year.
During the 2009–10 financial year, IAL replaced all fluorescent tubes with energy efficient T5 lighting; installed motion detector lighting; introduced recycled programs to cover paper, plastics, cans and electronic equipment; and replaced foam cups with washable ceramic mugs.
To cut energy consumption, IAL also revised corporate dress policies to allow higher airconditioning temperatures in summer and lower heating temperatures in winter, and installed water saving devices.
Along with head office environmental measures, IAL also introduced a range of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks onto the Australian market this year, which produce 30 per cent less carbon emissions than the equivalent diesel, and educated Isuzu Trucks customers on alternative fuels.
According to IAL Business Planning Manager and Company Secretary, Paul Evans, most transport companies already have internal environmental strategies in place and expect the same from truck manufacturers.
“There is a growing expectation from our customers for the Isuzu Dealership network and our trucks – including the manufacturing process of our trucks – to be environmentally sustainable,” Paul Evans said.
“With this in mind, IAL revised its Corporate Mission Statement and set a goal to cut energy usage by 20 per cent by the end of 2010, eventually aiming to become carbon neutral in the long term.”
To achieve its carbon reduction targets and satisfy the criteria set out in the 12 step VECCI ‘Grow Me the Money’ sustainability program, IAL established a Carbon Reduction Workgroup (CRW) at its Port Melbourne head office.
The CRW comprised six volunteers from various IAL departments and set environmental goals for IAL operations in the short, medium and long term.
“Getting all staff members involved was a key to IAL’s carbon reduction success,” Paul Evans said. “The IAL CRW spent considerable time creating awareness, engaging stakeholders, building support and getting employees to have ownership of the project.
“All our employees want to protect the environment, ensure environmental sustainability and save on electricity, paper and other resources, which make both financial and business sense.
“The challenge was to determine what practical solutions would appeal to employees and how best to implement them to ensure continued support.”
In the year to June 2010, IAL’s head office in Port Melbourne reduced its CO2 emissions by
236 tonnes – the equivalent of planting 880 trees.
IAL now plans to roll out the head office environmental sustainability program to over
60 Dealer locations nationwide, while continuing to petition government and the transport industry for wide adoption of alternative fuelled trucks.
*Copy supplied by Isuzu
