IVECO, European gas storage operator RAG and trimodal logistics hub Ennshafen OÖ GmbH inaugurated the first LNG filling station in Austria, at Ennshafen port. IVECO participated in the official inauguration of Austria’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) filling station, which took part during the Zukinftsforum LNG conference. The station, located in the port of Ennshafen, is part of a collaboration between IVECO, gas storage operator RAG and trimodal logistics hub Ennshafen OÖ GmbH, that aims to promote LNG as a sustainable fuel and establish the necessary distribution network in Austria. Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President, stated: “This inauguration is a significant step forward in the development of the infrastructure needed to establish natural gas as a sustainable solution for transport and enable this fuel to fulfil its potential. IVECO was the first manufacturer in the world of commercial transport to understand, in 1991, the potential of natural gas. We have pioneered natural gas technology for more than 20 years and as a result today we are able to supply the first true long-haul gas truck in the market that is a real alternative to diesel vehicles and leads the way in the sustainable transport.” The collaboration between IVECO and RAG also involves promoting the development of natural gas fleets in Austria using the STRALIS NP – the first natural gas truck specifically designed for long-haul transport and the first truck to run on LNG in Austria – to demonstrate the viability and benefits of this solution. IVECO has supplied, in February 2017, the first STRALIS NP for RAG to use in their own fleet for CNG and LNG transport operations and also for renting out to Austrian transport companies interested in trying this technology. Two more STRALIS NP have been delivered to RAG for customers Bernegger and Strauss both dedicated to long-term rentals in order to give these customers the opportunity to test the vehicle’s effectiveness in their fleet. A fifth STRALIS NP was sold and delivered in September to transport operator VEGA LOGISTICS. The handover to all these customers was done by RAG CEO Markus Mitteregger and IVECO Brand President, Pierre Lahutte during the LNG filling station opening event on September 26th, 2017. The STRALIS NP is playing an active role in the transition to sustainable goods transport, on the roads across Europe. It is the only natural gas powered long-haul truck that delivers the power rating, comfort, transmission technology and fuel autonomy to suit long-distance haulage missions. With a record range autonomy of up to 1,500 km, the Stralis NP makes natural gas a viable solution for international long-distance transport. IVECO saw very early on the potential of natural gas in the commercial transport industry and has pioneered this technology for over 20 years. It sees this fuel as the mature, reasonable and affordable solution both Tank to Wheel and, with biogas, Well to Wheel. Its commitment to developing natural gas as a sustainable fuel has led IVECO to participate in collaborations such as the one with RAG and Ennshafen OÖ GmbH in order to support the creation and extension of the natural gas distribution infrastructure across Europe.
