H Parkinson Haulage takes on gas-powered trucks

H Parkinson Haulage has taken delivery of seven Iveco Stralis NP 4x2 tractor units, which are powered by compressed biomethane.

The trucks will be used on high-mileage contracts with each vehicle expected to cover more than 350,000 km every year.

Steve Sugden, General Manager of H Parkinson Haulage, says: “These vehicles will be doing nearly a quarter of a million miles a year each – so it was vital for us and our customers to reduce the environmental impact.

“Currently, for a CNG vehicle, no one has a better offering than IVECO, and with the seven Stralis NPs, coupled with our longer semi-trailers (LSTs), we’ve worked out we can reduce our CO2 emissions by a massive 1,750 tonnes every year.

“And when potential clients come along, more and more are looking at reducing CO2 emissions, so this order really ticks a massive box. When you couple an LST with a Stralis NP tractor unit – it’s going to be about as environmentally friendly as you can get. This is the future of green logistics.”

H Parkinson Haulage’s customer’s proximity to CNG Fuel’s compressed biomethane filling station in Leyland was also an important factor in their decision. Research by Cadent Gas in 2017 found an 84% drop in carbon dioxide emissions from HGVs using the UK’s first gas filling station connected to a high-pressure pipeline.

The plan is to run the trucks until end of life due to the high mileage, with each vehicle covering at least 1,000 km every working day, thanks to an intensive multi-shift operation. Sugden adds: “If these vehicles perform well, and with IVECO being the most advanced manufacturer in the alternative fuel sector, then we will consider adding more Stralis NPs to our fleet in the future.”

The Stralis NP is powered by a Cursor 9 Euro VI natural gas engine which delivers the same output of 400 hp and 1,700 Nm torque as its diesel equivalent, resulting in an excellent power-to-weight ratio, power density and quietness of operation. IVECO also offers a 460hp natural gas engine for operators requiring additional power.