Sustainability in freight transport is increasingly important. At Transpotec in Verona, Scania and Iveco were awarded at the Sustainable Truck of the Year
Freight transport is one of the most important (and most impactful) issues in global mobility. There is no good that does not need to be transported. There is no food that, in order to reach our tables, does not have to travel a distance — unfortunately not always a zero-kilometre one. Thus, measuring the sustainability of heavy vehicles has become a necessity. So too has understanding who, among manufacturers, invests the most in sustainability, efficiency, innovation and safety. An answer came from the latest Transpotec Logitec 2017 at Veronafiere, an important event dedicated to road haulage. "The enthusiasm and energy with which the companies took part is a demonstration of the vitality of a sector — that of transport — which expresses an extremely high level of innovation, guaranteeing a growing return in terms of efficiency, safety and savings, which become added value for society as a whole," commented Roberto Rettani, president of Fiera Milano, the event's organiser.
And it was at Transpotec that sustainability took centre stage in an important initiative, born from the collaboration between Vado e Torno, a monthly magazine dedicated to road haulage, and LifeGate, joint promoters of Mobility Revolution Truck, the first rating system measuring the sustainability of trucks.
From this shared experience the STY – Sustainable Truck of the Year award was born, dedicated precisely to the most sustainable vehicles in transport. An award divided into three main categories: STY Road Tractor, dedicated to long-haul vehicles; STY Distribution Truck, dedicated to distribution vehicles, waste transport and urban transport in general; STY Van, dedicated to vans.
On the podium in the "Tractor" category stood the Scania Next Generation range: among the reasons given by the jury, made up of representatives of the specialist press, were reduced fuel consumption, driving comfort and higher levels of safety. "This recognition is a further confirmation of Scania's constant commitment to offering cutting-edge transport solutions on both the safety and sustainability fronts — environmental and economic. The new generation of Scania trucks and services represents a further step in guiding the entire transport sector towards a more sustainable future," declared Franco Fenoglio, president and chief executive of Italscania, as he collected the award.
In the "Distribution" category the award went to the Iveco Eurocargo Cng. With over 10,000 natural gas trucks sold in the past twenty years, Iveco places a strong bet on alternative fuels. The Tector 6 methane engine is a master of cleanliness: virtually no particulate matter, a reduction in CO2 (over 80 per cent when using biomethane) and noise levels below 60 decibels. Drawing on a mature technology that is available immediately and also economically advantageous, the new Eurocargo has no fear of urban access restrictions and, thanks to a range of 400 kilometres, gives up diesel without any limitations.
Awarded in the "Van" category (even though the project dates back to 2009), the Iveco Daily Electric has taken a decisive step forward in its latest iterations. From connectivity to the latest-generation electrification package with sodium-nickel-chloride batteries, from the flexible charging system to improved performance, with an electric range of up to 200 kilometres — perfect for distribution in urban centres.
"We are very proud to win these two awards. The commitment to sustainability is an established reality for Iveco and is founded on technological excellence: today we are the only manufacturer to have a complete range of natural gas-powered vehicles, from light to heavy and buses. We are also leaders in sustainability as a brand within the CNH Industrial group, confirmed as Industry Leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Europe indices," commented Pierre Lahutte, Iveco brand president.