Andesmar president Mauricio Badaloni said the truck tested has better response and final speed than diesel trucks, and unlike what happens with the provision of diesel, CNG supply is guaranteed on routes through 1,900 fueling stations operational in virtually all country’s provinces. Considering the results, the executive said that the company plans to add more natural gas powered vehicles into its fleet, “in all routes, even in the areas where land conditions are more demanding for vehicles."

Speaking on the experience, the truck driver Javier Olmo was quite satisfied with the vehicle’s low vibrations and engine noise, whose sound is "barely heard," he said. At the same time, he felt lucky to not having to stand in long queues for fueling the truck. "Currently, this vehicle is the one chosen to go on journeys considered urgent by the logistics company that hired us, because there is always natural gas available at stations."

The Mendoza-based firm Esigas is one of the country’s pioneers in the manufacture of engines for this market segment. "The previous product, the 200 hp ESI-DT, has eight years of operation with excellent results. Now, the 280 hp ESI 96 TI, has also proven its efficiency," said Víctor Derlich, Esigas president, who thought companies should bet on sustainable development and the government change the energy grid in heavy-duty transport, considering the promising future that Argentina has in terms of shale gas findings.

Source: Esigas.