Calor Gas will be unveiling the world’s first liquid petroleum gas (LPG) range extender for an electric, rigid cylinder truck at this year’s Freight in the City Expo.

The new truck, built in partnership with Dutch electric vehicle manufacturer Emoss, has been developed in response to the government’s air quality and emissions-reduction strategies.

It uses LPG to drive the vehicle’s electric generator, which charges the battery supplying the motor with electricity.

Calor, a major UK  supplier of LPG and LNG to the transport industry, believes that as proposals for clean air zones and zero-emission zones gather momentum, vehicle OEMs will look to use range-extending technology to make electric trucks viable for fleet operators.

Compliant with the latest emission requirements, Calor said its LPG range extender will deliver lower carbon emissions than petrol and provide the capability to increase a vehicle’s battery-only range up to 250 miles.

The technology also offers the opportunity for geofencing to cut emissions to zero when operating in city centres.

Calor added that BioLPG, which is due to be available in early 2018, offers “even more significant environmental benefits over existing range-extension technologies, such as diesel and petrol”.

Chemically identical to conventional LPG, but created from renewable, ethically sourced feedstocks, BioLPG will play an important role in improving the LPG range extender’s environmental credentials further still in the future.

Paul Blacklock, head of strategy and corporate affairs at Calor, said: “As the UK government continues to put pressure on the transport industry to find cleaner ways of operating, the new LPG range extender with EMOSS presents an exciting opportunity for rigid trucks.

“With trucks fitted with LPG range extenders able to switch entirely to electric when operating in city centres or air quality zones, while already offering improved emission performance when compared with conventional fuels, we are excited to announce this ground-breaking transport innovation.”

Those attending Freight in the City can find out more about the technology on Calor (SO1) and EMOSS’ (V39) stands at the event.

  • Freight in the City, which this year also features the annual LoCITY conference, takes place on 7 November at Alexandra Palace. It is free to attend and features a full day's seminar programme and a large exhibition of the latest urban trucks, vans and technology. Register today!

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