First natural gas powered vehicle for Israel

June 15, 2015. CNH Industrial and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announce an important achievement and milestone for the Israeli vehicle market: the commercialisation of the first ever natural gas vehicle. This order falls under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which foresees a partnership between the companies and Israel's Fuel Choices Initiative (IFCI).

   IFCI is a ten-year Israeli Government program, managed through the Prime Minister's Office, which is dedicated to reducing the world's dependency on oil for transport and supporting the development of alternative fuels. The signed MOU specifies that FCA and CNH Industrial, along with several of their brands, will assist in the research, development and implementation of natural gas based fuels for transportation.

   The vehicle in question is a Stralis 4x2 heavy truck from CNH Industrial's commercial vehicles brand Iveco. It is powered by an Iveco Cursor 8 compressed natural gas (CNG) Euro VI engine. The Stralis CNG will be supplied to Fridenson Group, one of Israel's leading logistics companies with an existing fleet of over 140 trucks and trailers. This delivery is being managed by MCA, the exclusive importer of Iveco as well as several brands belonging to FCA for Israel. Fridenson Group plans to use the CNG truck in a pilot program that demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a cleaner environment. As expressed by the Group, this first step will lead to the replacement of a significant number of diesel engine trucks in favour of CNG-powered models.

   Further to this development, MCA will also be importing a 12-metre CNG urban bus from CNH Industrial brand Iveco Bus. A series of demonstrations of the bus's capabilities will be carried out in the country over a two-month period.

（Quoted from:www.gnvmagazine.com）