Iveco will supply 120 hybrid buses to the Milan transport authority over the next years, with the first models to be delivered in June.
The new deal is on top of an exisitng agreement to provide 43 Eurocargo CNG medium-duty trucks running on compressed natural gas to Milan’s waste collection and street cleaning agency.
“These two major supplies demonstrate Iveco’s suitability as a city’s partner of choice whether it be for public transport or urban services when searching for solutions to combat challenges related to air quality and alternatives to diesel,” commented Iveco president Pierre Lahutte.
Milan joins other major European cities such as Paris, France; Madrid, Spain and Bologna, Italy, which have already adopted natural gas vehicles hybrid vehicles.
The Urbanway Hybrid was developed by Iveco to significantly reduce emissions and fuel consumption while ensuring increasingly sustainable mobility for the communities it serves.
This 18-metre articulated city bus can accommodate 149 passengers. It is equipped with a series-hybrid system comprising a 175 (peak)/120 kW (continuous mode) electric motor and a 210 kW (286 hp) Iveco Tector Euro VI engine.
A smart power management system optimizes fuel consumption and emissions during travel, while excess braking energy is stored.
The hybrid boasts reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 30% when compared to diesel engine vehicles, and are 50 per cent quieter.
Running on compressed natural gas, the 43 Iveco Eurocargo CNG medium-duty trucks will enter Milan’s service by the end of this summer. A tentative agreement for a further 14 CNG vehicles could also come to fruition in the coming 18 months.
The 120EL21/P Eurocargo CNG model is compliant with the current Euro VI emissions. It is fitted with a 210 hp IVECO Tector 6 engine.
The advantages offered by natural gas technology are numerous. Natural gas propulsion is the most efficient technical solution available to solve pollution issues in urban areas, thus making it the only true alternative to petrol and diesel. From an emissions viewpoint, natural gas is a clean fuel, since it produces 35 per cent less nitric oxide (NOx) emissions and 95 per cent less particulate compared to diesel.
