One of Europe’s biggest fleets buys 500 trucks running on LNG
Jost Group, one of Europe’s largest transport and logistics companies, has signed a supply agreement with Italian Industrial Vehicle Corporation (IVECO) for its liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Stralis NP trucks.
The supply deal targets to convert the Belgian firm’s fleet from operating diesel to LNG-powered trucks at 35% by 2020.
Jost, which operates 1,400 trucks and 3,000 trailers, already operates 132 Stralis vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG).
“This marks a key turning point for our business as we begin a strategic move away from our dependence on diesel and towards green logistics, as requested by our customers, which are demanding a more sustainable transport,” said Roland Jost, Owner of Jost Group.
He further revealed that the company is investing in LNG infrastructure “with plans to open up to three filling stations within (its) major operating centres in Belgium.”
Demand for LNG is growing rapidly across Europe, with the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) having identified LNG as the best solution for long-distance road transport in the short term and for the next 10 to 15 years, according to an IVECO company release.
LNG is widely regarded as the only currently available mass market alternative to diesel.
“Gas offers the widest range of opportunities to replace diesel in the commercial vehicle market – it's no longer a fuel of tomorrow, it's a fuel of today,” said Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President.
