Isuzu Trucks will release four ultra-low emission CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) powered trucks in coming months as part of the company's long-term low emissions strategy.

The CNG trucks comfortably exceed Japanese New Long Term 05 (EuroV equivalent) emissions standards, a level not mandated in Australia until 2011. In the areas of PM (Particulate Matter) and NOx (combination of Nitrogen Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide) emissions, the vehicles even surpass EuroVI standards.

In bringing CNG variants of the NLR 200, NPR 300, FSR 700 and FSR 850 to market, Isuzu will become the only distributor in Australia to offer factory-backed CNG trucks, providing environmental and cost conscious fleets with an alternative to diesel-powered vehicles.

The CNG trucks - which will become a permanent part of Isuzu's 130-plus model line-up - feature efficient multipoint fuel injection engines that deliver comparable power to the models' diesel-powered equivalents; in F Series models, the CNG variants produce even greater torque than the diesels.

According to Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Director and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Taylor, the company's interest and involvement in low emission technology and alternative fuels goes hand in hand with Isuzu's position as long-term Australian truck market leader.

"Isuzu currently offers the cleanest overall truck range in Australia, however the company is also well advanced in the areas of hybrid and alternative fuel technologies," Taylor said.

"In December, Isuzu conducted Australian testing of its diesel-electric hybrid model, however we will not be pinning all of our low emission aspirations solely on a hybrid as these vehicles have notable limitations, requiring a very specific set of operating conditions to return any significant gains.

"With this in mind we've actively pursued the development of alternative fuel technologies such as CNG."

Isuzu is an expert in CNG technology, first offering CNG-powered trucks in Japan in 1991, with mass production beginning in 1998 - to date cumulative sales exceed 10,000 units.

Taylor said that current business and environmental conditions meant the timing for the CNG model releases was ideal.

"As well as the lower operating costs, the cleaner running CNG trucks will appeal to a growing number of private fleets and government operations, particularly in light of the impending emissions trading scheme to be introduced in 2010," he said.

"Australia enjoys plentiful reserves of natural gas; this fuel isn't tied to international pricing parity like diesel, therefore the price of natural gas is stable and should continue be stable in the long term.

"Financially it will make good business sense for fleets to adopt alternative fuelled trucks in coming years, not to mention the associated benefits of taking a 'green' corporate stance and image."

While in the past Australia's CNG refuelling infrastructure was a hindrance to the development and proliferation of CNG truck technology in this country, more recently a much greater interest in developing these facilities is being shown on the part of gas suppliers.

In addition to establishing more public refuelling facilities, a viable option for larger fleets is to commission their own refuelling infrastructure at the depot.

Isuzu CNG technology is currently on trial with a leading multinational fleet, and is receiving extremely positive feedback.

The Gosford Council story

In 2005, a small batch of CNG-powered Isuzu NPR 400s was imported into Australia. Six of these vehicles were purchased by New South Wales' Gosford City Council, where they have delivered notable emissions reduction and cost savings in comparison with conventional diesel trucks.

Despite using older CNG engine technology with a carburetor-style mixer as opposed to injection, the trucks delivered adequate performance while returning a running cost saving of almost $14,000 per truck over 100,000 kilometres compared to diesel equivalents, according to the Council's data.

As well as the financial benefits, considerable emissions savings are also being achieved.

One cubic metre of CNG emits about 2.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalence (CO2e) compared to approximately three kilograms of CO2e for a litre of diesel combusted in a similarly sized truck.

Since it began using Isuzu CNG trucks, Gosford City Council estimates that over 4,000 kilograms of CO2e per vehicle has been prevented from entering the atmosphere.

For further info visit www.isuzu.com.au