MERCEDES-BENZ ECONIC POWERED BY NATURAL GAS HANDED OVER TO ALDI SÜD

Posted 29th December, 2009 in Mercedes-Benz | Leave a comment

Mönchengladbach/ Wörth – The first Mercedes-Benz Econic with NGT (Natural Gas Technology) for food distribution operations has been handed over to the ALDI SÜD group of companies in Mönchengladbach. The vehicle is a semitrailer tractor with a high roof and a refrigerated semitrailer. To honour its environmental responsibilities in the areas of procurement and distribution, ALDI SÜD decided in favour of an environmentally friendly natural gas engine – this is now being put to the test with this vehicle.

City logistics and natural gas power for environmentally sensitive urban areas
ALDI SÜD uses the new Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT to supply its branches on the left bank of the Lower Rhine from the central warehouse in Mönchengladbach. Traffic-calming zones, narrow entrances, illegally parked cars, increasing environmental regulations and access restrictions – as well as enormous time pressure – mean that city logistics make heavy demands on both the driver and vehicle. A modern distribution vehicle must therefore meet high requirements with respect to load capacity, manoeuvrability, environmental compatibility and economy. Lower CO2 emissions versus comparable, diesel powered vehicles, CO2-neutral operation when biogas is used as a fuel, zero particulate emissions and a low noise level – all these are the ecological benefits of the Econic NGT. Power is transferred by a six-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle meets the stringent EEV emission standard (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle), and is therefore entitled to bear the “Blue Angel” environmental emblem.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]