Iveco UK has been named LGV Manufacturer of the Year at the GreenFleet Awards 2012, beating off competition from joint runners-up Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Trucks. Iveco secured the award, which focuses on the large goods vehicle segment over 7.5 tonnes, in recognition of its dual approach to reducing carbon emissions.
It offers an extensive alternative fuel vehicle range and regularly introduces new technologies to make its diesel-powered line-up even more fuel efficient.
Key to securing the title for Iveco was the strength of its current EcoStralis heavy truck, which optimises everything from aerodynamics to the engine, driveline, tyres and telematics to deliver up to eight per cent CO2 savings on long-distance haulage.
The panel of GreenFleet Awards judges were also impressed with how Iveco has already manufactured in excess of 6500 natural gas-powered commercial vehicles for operation in Europe, with dedicated gas-powered models available within its Daily, Eurocargo and Stralis ranges – offering power outputs from 136 to 300 bhp.
As one of the most extensive gas-powered commercial vehicle ranges on the market, the vehicles stand out for being factory-built on the main Iveco production lines – not aftermarket or end-of-line conversions. This allows customers to access aftersales support from any of Iveco’s 5000 service outlets worldwide.
Commenting on the award win, Martin Flach, product director for Iveco UK, said: “We recognise diesel engines are likely to remain a significant part of the commercial vehicle market for many years to come, so we’ve introduced fuel-saving models such as the EcoStralis to help fleets become greener. Many of the EcoStralis’ advanced fuel-saving features will be incorporated into the Stralis Hi-Way as standard when it launches in the UK this January.”
On Iveco’s dominant position in the gas-powered sector, Flach added: “Iveco commercial vehicles running on compressed biomethane are operated by some of the UK’s best-loved brands, including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Tesco.com and John Lewis Partnership. They are proving strong contenders in even the most demanding urban and inter-urban distribution environments.”
In addition to its ultra-fuel efficient diesel powered and gas-powered vehicle ranges, Iveco offers 3.5 or five-tonne Dailys with pure electric traction motors using advanced battery technology. Iveco is also actively testing diesel-electric parallel hybrid technology within its urban distribution range and has 12 Eurocargo 12-tonne hybrid vehicles in service in Barcelona, where they are used for refuse collection.
This GreenFleet award follows less than a year after Iveco was named Low Carbon Heavy Duty Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year 2011 at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership Awards last November.
