IVECO Stralis NPs tick a massive box for H Parkinson Haulage

Monday 19th February 2018

Preston-based H Parkinson Haulage has taken delivery of its first IVECO vehicles – seven Stralis NP 4×2 tractor units. The compressed biomethane-powered trucks will be used on high-mileage contracts with each vehicle expected to cover more than 350,000 km every year.

Supplied by Preston-based Walton Summit Truck Centre, the additions to their group’s 95-strong fleet – which are also their first natural gas-powered vehicles – include four ex-demonstrators and three brand new factory orders. They trialled demonstrators from two manufacturers of natural gas-powered tractor units before selecting IVECO for 100 per cent of the order.

The Stralis NP AS440S40T/P, which benefits from IVECO’s flagship long-distance Hi-Way cab, was given the nod due to it having a more powerful engine than its competitor and following positive feedback from drivers on both driving and in-cab comfort, plus quietness of operation.

Steve Sugden, General Manager of H Parkinson Haulage, says: “These vehicles will be doing nearly a quarter of a million miles a year each – so it was vital for us and our customers to reduce the environmental impact.

“Currently, for a CNG vehicle, no one has a better offering than IVECO, and with the seven Stralis NPs, coupled with our longer semi-trailers (LSTs), we’ve worked out we can reduce our CO₂ emissions by a massive 1,750 tonnes every year.

“And when potential clients come along, more and more are looking at reducing CO₂ emissions, so this order really ticks a massive box. When you couple an LST with a Stralis NP tractor unit – it’s going to be about as environmentally friendly as you can get. This is the future of green logistics.”

H Parkinson Haulage’s customer’s proximity to CNG Fuel’s compressed biomethane filling station in Leyland was also an important factor in their decision. Research by Cadent Gas in 2017 found an 84% drop in carbon dioxide emissions from HGVs using the UK’s first gas filling station connected to a high-pressure pipeline.

The plan is to run the trucks until end of life due to the high mileage, with each vehicle covering at least 1,000 km every working day, thanks to an intensive multi-shift operation. Sugden adds: “If these vehicles perform well, and with IVECO being the most advanced manufacturer in the alternative fuel sector, then we will consider adding more Stralis NPs to our fleet in the future.”

The Stralis NP is powered by a Cursor 9 Euro VI natural gas engine which delivers the same output of 400 hp and 1,700 Nm torque as its diesel equivalent, resulting in an excellent power-to-weight ratio, power density and quietness of operation. IVECO also offers a 460hp natural gas engine for operators requiring additional power.

IVECO was the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to look at the potential of natural gas in 1991 – an anticipation that allowed the company to develop a full range of natural gas trucks, vans and buses. Currently, more than 23,000 IVECO gas-powered vehicles are in operation.

H Parkinson Haulage has more than 60 years of experience in the industry covering the whole of the UK for next-day, two-day and three-day delivery including timed delivery, offering a 24-hour service.