With high diesel prices, drivers are using gas as an alternative

Major brands in the automotive industry, such as Scania and Iveco, are supporting the use of gas instead of diesel

Gas is becoming an important alternative to diesel, including in the transport sector. In the last 15 months alone, the price of oil has increased by 49,7%. According to NTC&Logística, which informs that fuel represents 46,08% of the operating cost of a truck. However, there are big challenges ahead. Also read this news: Carrier starts using truck powered by natural gas to move chemical products

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Iveco projects production of gas trucks in Brazil

Iveco, manufacturer of heavy vehicles, trucks, buses and light utility vehicles, is betting on gas-powered trucks. The company points out that there are already around 36 trucks with this technology running around the world. Much of it is in Europe. However, the Italian brand also bets on markets like Chile and Argentina. According to the newspaper Estadão, the manufacturer does not confirm the information, but everything indicates that production will start soon.

In Brazil, Iveco celebrates the good sales results. Therefore, there is great expectation about the launch of gas trucks in the country. According to the company, the new option is already being tested. However, the company did not reveal details about the models. According to the leader of Iveco for South America, Márcio Querichelli, there are already people interested in the new truck. But the brand chose to launch the novelty in neighboring countries because of the more developed infrastructure.

“We plan to enter with the entire portfolio of vehicles that we have in Europe”, says Querichelli. According to him, the models will be adapted for the Brazilian market. According to the executive, the launch depends on the infrastructure and incentives. It must be remembered that gas trucks are more expensive than diesel ones. For example, in the Brazilian market, where the only option of its kind is from Scania, prices are around 30% higher. This in comparison with equivalent models with a diesel engine.

Recently, Scania sold another fleet of trucks that use CNG

Reiter Log haulage company purchased 124 gas-powered trucks from Scania. According to the manufacturer of Swedish origin, the carrier from Nova Santa Rita, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, is investing more than R$ 100 million. Thus, the company aims to meet customer goals in ESG policies. In other words, Environmental, Social and Corporate governance, which includes reducing pollutant emissions.

According to Scania, the 124 trucks are R 410 tractor units. According to the forecast schedule, the first deliveries will take place in the last quarter of 2021. Therefore, all models will start operating throughout 2022. According to Scania's sales director Scania solutions in Brazil, Silvio Munhoz, is a “very” logistics operator. “And that has been joining the shippers in the search for a more sustainable sector. A serious commitment that now guides all of the company's actions,” he says.

According to Reiter Log, with the acquisition of Scania's new gas-powered trucks, such actions aimed at the use of alternative energy began in 2014. With this, the investment goes beyond the purchase of gas trucks. That is, among the measures is the purchase of larger road implements. In this way, it increases the load carried by the trucks. “We signed a commitment to offer a new way of transporting”, says the CEO of Reiter Log, Vinícius Reiter Pilz. According to him, among the objectives is the reduction of the sector's impacts on the environment.