Dawsongroup truck and trailer is expanding its range of alternative-fuelled commercial vehicles to provide operators with a 'try before you buy' option for new technology.
Exhibiting at Freight in the City Expo today (6 November), the rental and leasing firm is showcasing the latest low-emission vehicles in its range.
This includes a 12-tonne Iveco Eurocargo powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).
It is fitted with a dual-compartment Paneltex refrigerated body and features a hydraulically driven fridge unit from Swedish firm Hulstein. This eliminates the need for a traditional diesel-powered fridge unit.
It also has a side door, rear shutter and DEL 1,500kg tail-lift, in addition to an Allison automatic gearbox for driveability in urban stop-start delivery cycles.
After the expo, Dawsongroup said it will also be fitting Tralar solar-charge matting to the truck, as well as an all-round camera system.
John Fletcher, MD at Dawsongroup truck and trailer, said: “With so many changes to legislation and the development of alternative fuel vehicles, operators are keen to find ways of sensibly trialling the more practical solutions being offered.
“We are giving immediate access to the technology, to work alongside existing operations without the need to plunge into a high-level capital investment programme.”
He added that the vehicle’s cleanliness and suitability for the urban environment was becoming the primary driver for environmentally conscious operators rather than operating cost.
“We already see this working well with operators taking our fleet and LNG gas-engined tractor units for longer haul work,” Fletcher said.
“So now we’ve started to invest in medium weight rigids, as we move to offer operators the widest choice of LEVs to try.”
Dawsongroup is also working with Paneltex to bring a range of electric vehicles to its rental line-up in the near future.
