Chilean state-owned oil company’s first LNG truck is from IVECO
A few days ago we reported that the Chilean state-owned company ENAP (Empresa Nacional del Petróleo) began operating the first vehicle in its fleet fueled with LNG. This is the first trans-Andean circulation test with a truck powered by alternative energies, it is conducted by IVECO together with its Chilean dealership Sigdotek (SKC) and it features a Stralis 460 Cursor 13 NP 6×2 Euro VI. The vehicle is a trailer with an ENAP tanker.
In order to travel the Andean routes for a period of 30 uninterrupted days, only making stops to refuel and for driver rotation, the project is possible thanks to the support of ENAP. In addition, the trip is supported by the Cryolab refueling station and the Santa María carrier.
“The test that we are carrying out together with several entities joins the global milestones of our Natural Power range, a line of products of the brand that uses alternative fuels. Worldwide, IVECO has an experience of more than 20 years working on the development of technologies that provide solutions to carriers and the environment, and we will continue working on profitable solutions for the region,” said Márcio Querichelli, Head of IVECO in South America.
“We are proud to work for a more sustainable and profitable future with the support of recognized companies in the country. The extra heavy truck that is currently traveling the Chilean roads is circulating with a 60 m3 tank loaded with LNG that will supply the needs of the vehicle and that will be loaded at LNG bases in the Valparaíso region and in the Ñuble Region (Pemuco Base). Likewise, this route is important since it is estimated to travel a total of 36,000 kilometers, to set a precedent and to demonstrate the benefits of this type of vehicle for the future development of this alternative fuel,” said Marcelo Leonardi, Commercial Director of Exports at IVECO South America.
To put the vehicle in operation, a series of previous certifications were carried out that allowed obtaining the authorization. In the first instance, the homologation with the 3CV (Chilean Vehicle Certification and Control Center) was carried out and then the approval of the first service station to refuel the truck was completed. Likewise, the station’s maneuver tests were performed with the filling of LNG, and the operation, temperature and gas pressure for the truck refueling were controlled. Once the vehicle was approved by the entities, technical training was given to the drivers who will travel the Chilean routes aboard the Stralis.
Among other novelties, the Andrés Bello University is conducting research on this vehicle focused on the pillars “connect, innovate and lead”, where they will record consumption, emissions, comparisons, among other data.
