A refuse collection vehicle powered by natural gas was presented at premises of Mogilevtransmash plant, owned by MAZ. Belarusian Housing and Utilities Minister Aleksandr Terekhov and potential buyers of municipal vehicles from various parts of the country were made familiar with technical parameters of the new product.
“The new vehicle is fully compliant with the requirements the head of state wants the utilities industry to meet. The use of compressed natural gas will reduce fuel-related operating costs. The vehicle’s size and maneuverability will help smartly build the logistics of removal of solid municipal waste from backyards,” said the minister.
The first commercial CNG garbage truck has been assembled by Mogilevtransmash. It is equipped with two gas cylinders made of composite materials and able to store 420 liters of CNG. It is also fitted with mud chambers to keep liquid waste from leaking around the vehicle, and with a monitor and a rearview camera for ease of use. The low environmental footprint is a major peculiarity of the new vehicle, but in addition, the noise it generates is lower than usual.
One vehicle was already delivered to a Mogilev-based company on March 12. The truck will be trialed in the city for several months in real conditions. “We have all reasons to believe that the vehicle will pass the trial with flying colors and the new refuse collection vehicles will enter into service of utility enterprises all over the country soon,” Terekhov added.
Mogilevtransmash representatives explained the garbage truck has already passed all the safety and environmental tests, and has been certified for compliance with Customs Union regulations. The company intends to sell the trucks not only in Belarus but in other CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) states in the future, reported news agency BelTA.
