​CNH Industrial presents new alternative fuel programs

CNH Industrial, in partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), participated in the 2016 Fuel Choices Summit, an international event held on November 2nd and 3rd, in Tel Aviv, Israel. The companies presented the results and updates on their activities related to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in February 2015 between FCA, Iveco (CNH Industrial brand), Magneti Marelli (FCA brand) and Israel Fuel Choices Initiative (IFCI). The memorandum establishes cooperation between the parties to develop alternative fuel and natural gas technologies.

The Israeli government aims to establish the country as a knowledge center for alternative fuels and, to this end, created the Fuel Choices Initiative, a national alternative fuels for transportation program that acts as the catalyst for reducing the world's dependence on oil.

The Fuel Choices Summit addressed and showcased innovations in alternative fuels and smart mobility, offering a platform for dialogue on the world's most advanced transportation approaches to advance Israel's ambitious goal of reducing the country's oil consumption by 60 percent by 2025. The fourth annual edition of the event was hosted by the Prime Minister of Israel and brought together 1.500 participants, 1.000 entrepreneurs, 300 international guests, 450 start-ups and numerous scientists, speakers and automotive and energy companies from more than 30 countries.

CNH Industrial has been cooperating with IFCI for 2 years and is firmly committed to reducing the environmental impact of road transport, one of the main bases of the company's sustainability policy. With a line that ranges from trucks and buses from Iveco and Iveco Bus, agricultural and construction machines from Case and New Holland, to powertrain technologies from FPT Industrial, the company is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of vehicles for compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biomethane.

CNH Industrial's commitment to natural gas vehicles

Through the brands Iveco, Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus, CNH Industrial is the leader in the European market for natural gas vehicles, due to the alternative powertrain technology developed by the brand FPT Industrial, a specialist in industrial engines.

Since 1996, the company and its brands have developed the most comprehensive line of hybrid, electric, CNG and LNG-powered public transport vehicles on the market. Today, CNH Industrial brands are market share leaders in alternative fuel vehicles on the streets of Europe, with an active fleet of more than 16 thousand vehicles, of which 5,8 thousand are dedicated to public transport. Last year, more than 900 Iveco and Iveco Bus natural gas vehicles were offered to customers, and 25% of low-floor city bus units produced by Iveco Bus in Europe were powered by natural gas.

With more than 25 years of experience and more than 32 thousand CNG engines sold, FPT Industrial is a pioneer in natural gas solutions for the on-road and off-road markets. Furthermore, the brand has the largest line of engines on the market for on-road use, being able to meet requests for commercial vehicle and bus applications.

In Israel, the partnership with the Fuel Choices Initiative guaranteed a concrete result last year with the launch of the first natural gas vehicle in the country: a CNG-powered Iveco Stralis heavy truck, which was requested by the Fridenson Group, one of the largest gas companies. Israeli logistics. The transaction was carried out by MCA, the exclusive importer of Iveco in Israel, which also represents several FCA brands.

Natural gas is the gateway to gas from renewable sources, such as biomethane, which is derived from refined biogas. Biomethane can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100% without making any changes to the existing natural gas distribution network or to the natural gas vehicles currently available on the market. The majority of CNH Industrial's portfolio of commercial vehicles and buses is ideal for running on biomethane.

In this context, CNH Industrial's agricultural machinery brand, New Holland Agriculture, is currently testing the T6.140 Methane Power tractor. This second-generation prototype is a fundamental step toward the Energy Independent Farm concept, which addresses the ability of farms to produce energy from natural sources — in this case, biomass, which in turn will provide energy for machines and the farm itself. This is another concept of the future that could be successfully applied in several global agricultural scenarios, including the Israeli agricultural sector.

New Stralis Natural Power from Iveco

In June, Iveco launched the new Stralis NP (Natural Power), powered by liquefied and compressed natural gas, the most sustainable international transport truck in history. It features FPT Industrial's new Cursor 9 Natural Power Euro 6 engine, the first in its category to offer the same power and torque as its diesel equivalent.

The LNG-only version of the new Stralis NP has a record range of 1,5 km, making it the truly first gas truck on the market to offer an alternative to diesel vehicles and the most sustainable long-distance transport truck of all time. This model has been presented over the past few months to key Israeli customers, who have expressed their admiration for the vehicle's extra range and power.

Today, Iveco is prepared to offer its complete line of natural gas vehicles in Israel, with a service network established together with MCA. In the context of transport systems focused on alternative fuels, such as that planned by Israel's Fuel Choices Initiative, the new Stralis NP, together with Iveco's complete natural gas portfolio, is the perfect answer to creating a fully sustainable transport system.