Blue Energy Motors launched India’s first Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) fuelled green truck at its recently inaugurated plant in Chakan, Pune. With a keen focus on developing LNG as an alternate-fuel, Blue Energy Motor’s heavy-duty and long-haul trucks powered by LNG are set to pioneer the green trucking revolution in India.
The market entry of the LNG-fuelled trucks is starting with the introduction of the 5528 4×2 truck as the first model. It was launched by Mr Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO of Blue Energy Motors in the presence of Mr Gerrit Marx, CEO of Iveco Group, and Mr Sylvain Blaise, President of Iveco Group’s Powertrain Business Unit.
His Excellency Mr Vincenzo de Luca, Ambassador of Italy to India, also graced the launch ceremony.
Blue Energy Motors trucks are created and tested to meet the rigorous duty cycles of the Indian transportation sector. Through the FPT Industrial cutting-edge technology in the field of Natural Gas, these trucks provide best-in-class TCO with unparalleled riding comfort & safety for drivers throughout lengthy hauls.
The Blue Energy Motor’s 5528 truck uses FPT Industrial multipoint stoichiometric combustion engine to ensure best-in-class fuel consumption and lower noise than diesel engines. With 280hp power and 1000Nm torque, it is one of the most powerful natural gas trucks on the Indian market and is compatible with CNG, LNG, and biomethane.
The 5528 4×2 truck has the industry’s first 1000-lt fuel tank which provides the range of up to 1400 km in a single fill. Given this long range, issues pertaining to range anxiety are well taken care of and with the upcoming LNG dispensing network, sufficient coverage across key routes in the country will be available without need of frequent refilling.
The company has installed capacity to produce 10,000 trucks / annum which can be augmented further as the eco system mature and demand ramps up.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, Blue Energy Motors said, “India’s first LNG truck, which we launched today, is our first step towards pioneering the green trucking revolution. We at Blue Energy Motors aim to decarbonize the environment by providing an immediate solution and breaking the barriers of economic returns”. He added, “It is designed not only as an environmentally viable solution but will also be delivering to the business needs of customers. With near zero tail pipe emissions, our truck will help reduce CO2 up to 30%, compared to conventional solutions available in the market.”
Sylvain Blaise, President of Iveco Group’s Powertrain Business, said, “We are thrilled that FPT Industrial has joined Blue Energy Motors to begin this exciting journey towards advancing Indian commercial transport. India is one of the largest vehicle markets in the world and our cutting-edge technology and natural gas engines are key enablers of the ecological transformation and generating value for the transport operators.”
The 5528 4×2 truck is built in the facility that reflects Blue Energy Motors’s focus to disrupt the trucking industry in India by manufacturing clean energy, near-zero emissions trucks and was inaugurated earlier this month by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways.