Gas Works

The Stralis NP is Europe’s first long-haul gas-powered truck. We drive one from Land’s End to John o’ Groats to see if it really is as revolutionary as Iveco claims

- Will Shiers

Manufacturer Iveco has been banging the gas drum for a couple of decades, but few hauliers have actually heard it. And why would they want to listen?

After all, everyone knows that gas powered trucks have minimal driver appeal, are hindered by a poor refuelling network and are notoriously expensive. So why then does Iveco’s brand president Pierre Lahutte believe that LNG and CNG are suddenly viable alternatives to diesel for the bulk of Europe’s hauliers? And how can he be so confident that by 2020 there will be more than 10,000 gas powered trucks on Europe’s roads?

Key to his argument is the recently launched Stralis NP (natural power), which is described as Europe’s first long-haul gas-powered truck.

Until now, anyone wanting to purchase a gas-powered Iveco had to opt for its 330hp offering, which was at best underwhelming.

We had a drive of it in 2015 and concluded that it was underpowered, needed a full-width cab and was crying out for an auto transmission.

In complete contrast, the NP gets a 400hp Cursor 9 engine (with new injectors and fuel rail), a 12-speed ZF AS-Tronic (Eurotronic) transmission and the Hi-Way’s 2.5m-wide cab, so on paper it is a far more competent vehicle. But what about in reality?

On the road

The NP can be specified with CNG or LNG tanks. Seeing as it is LNG that’s likely to be the most popular fuel choice for the UK’s NP buyers, that’s what we drove.