Automotive

Natural gas Mercedes trucks begin trash collection in Stuttgart

Natural gas Mercedes trucks begin trash collection in Stuttgart
The Mercedes CNG truck promises low emissions and less noise in the city
The Mercedes CNG truck promises low emissions and less noise in the city
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The CNG Mercedes truck being used in Stuttgart
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The CNG Mercedes truck being used in Stuttgart
The CNG Mercedes trucks have a 600 liter fuel tank
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The CNG Mercedes trucks have a 600 liter fuel tank
The Mercedes CNG truck promises low emissions and less noise in the city
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The Mercedes CNG truck promises low emissions and less noise in the city
The CNG truck has a short, 3.9-meter wheelbase for the tight streets of Stuttgart
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The CNG truck has a short, 3.9-meter wheelbase for the tight streets of Stuttgart
The Mercedes-Benz CNG truck in action
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The Mercedes-Benz CNG truck in action
The trucks are more expensive than a standard Diesel truck, but the fuel cost savings should recoup the extra outlay in less than four years
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The trucks are more expensive than a standard Diesel truck, but the fuel cost savings should recoup the extra outlay in less than four years
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Among all the manufacturers playing around with alternative fuel for trucks, Daimler has been among the most active. Not only is it playing around with pure electric offerings, the German giant has just released a new compressed natural gas (CNG) trash truck for Stuttgart.

The new truck for AWS Stuttgart is the first to be powered by the new Mercedes 936 family of engines. Even though the 222 kW (302 hp) inline-six should drive just like a regular diesel, Daimler says it will be much cleaner and greener around town. Not only are CO2 emissions cut by about 23 percent, the gas-powered truck creates almost no particulates or fine dust, helping it meet strict Euro VI emissions standards without any filters or exhaust treatments. Another byproduct of the switch from diesel to gas is a 2 dB cut in noise emissions.

Beyond the lower emissions, drivers are unlikely to notice anything a difference between diesel and natural-gas trucks. The 600-l (159-g) tank means range shouldn't be a problem on the daily rubbish collection routes, and the truck's 26 tonne (29 ton) payload is unchanged. Daimler also says the fully air-suspended rubbish trucks should be comfortable and easy to manoeuvre, thanks to their 3.9-meter (12.8-foot) wheelbase.

Just like its cars, the new range of Mercedes-Benz trucks comes standard with stability control, lane keeping assist, auto-emergency braking and rain/dusk sensing wipers and headlamps. Adaptive cruise control is also fitted, making those long-haul highway runs easier on the driver.

"Despite the higher cost of purchasing a natural gas-powered waste collection vehicle, the saving on fuel bills that can be achieved with a complete switch from diesel to natural gas is going to offset our additional costs after around three and a half years," say Dr Thomas Heß, CEO of the waste-removal company in Stuttgart.

Daimler isn't the only company to throw its support behind CNG powered trucks. Skoda is using a fleet of gas trucks at its manufacturing plant, and UK supermarket chain Waitrose has teamed up with Scania to deliver stock using CNG trucks as well. You can even buy a Ford F-150 with a gas powertrain, proving the fuel has legs as an alternative to diesel.

Source: Daimler

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3 comments
3 comments
LarryWolf
Love the color, don't love the natural gas. All of these trucks should be using electrics only. EVs are best suited for these stop and go routes. They make them now so no excuses.
YouAre
Maybe a hybrid power train would be the next step?
gybognarjr
CNG diesel engines are decades old, In the US they are being used for more than 15 years in urban buses, trash trucks, delivery trucks, etc. What is the big deal about this very latecomer????