OEM natural gas powered trucks arrive in Trinidad and Tobago

The dealership Ansa Motors, traded as Diamond Motors, has introduced the Freightliner brand in Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with international partner Daimler Latina. Powered by CNG, the vehicles were brought into market as part of ongoing efforts to move the transport sector away from diesel and gasoline based fuels to cleaner, cost-effective alternative, reported local newspaper Guardian.

“We have CNG Freightliner OEM trucks in tractor heads or rigids that we could put in any application, from cranes to flatbeds trays,” said Rishi Basdeo, general manager at Diamond Motors. “We have a range of clientele that it would be suitable for. So, we could start with the heavy industrial sector and work it all the way down to individual businessmen who want to invest in a high quality unit with the government subsidies to support it.”

With the current government initiatives, said Basdeo, there is a place for the new models which operate on a cleaner fuel. He noted the Government’s expression of interest to fleet owners to explore how the state could assist them in upgrading to either OEM CNG trucks or retro-fitting vehicles to facilitate CNG use.

“With our option, local truck owners no longer have to consider only retro-fitting their vehicles. They can come straight to us, get these OEM units and they will get the full benefits of the warranties and the service and the after sales support that comes with it. Ultimately, there will be a threshold upon which customers will increase their rate of switching to CNG based on the price of fuel. Certainly, as the price of diesel or the price of gasoline goes up, the rate of switching will increase,” he added.

The Freightliner Trucks’ Business Class M2 112 is available with LNG or CNG tanks, and the trucks and tractors are designed for high performance in a broad range of applications. Moreover, the Freightliner’s versatile, severe-duty truck, the 114SD NG, combines the performance features of the diesel-powered 114SD with the benefits of a Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9 natural gas engine. Customers can anticipate significant fuel cost savings, smart design and sturdy construction in a natural gas truck with set-back axles.

https://www.ngvjournal.com/natural-gas-powered-trucks-arrive-in-trinidad-and-tobago/