This collaboration forms part of the APC (Advanced Propulsion Centre) UK funded Low Carbon Tractor (LoCT) project, which aims to design and demonstrate a commercially viable agricultural tractor capable of operation on sustainable locally sourced biomethane, while conforming to the latest European & US emissions standards. The first examples of the pre-development LoCT project tractors will be on display at the LCV Show, to be held at Millbrook, 4-5 September 2019.
CNH Industrial has contracted Ricardo specifically for some of the design and development of the vehicle, working alongside CNH Industrial’s in-house team as the vehicle approaches readiness for commercial production implementation. Key challenges include managing the heat rejection and tuning of the engine to be able to operate successfully in an agricultural environment, and the optimization of vehicle-based CNG storage to fulfil operational needs while also meeting all necessary safety and visibility requirements. CNH Industrial is also partnering with exhaust aftertreatment technology specialist Eminox and thermal management and ceramic coating specialist Zircotec.
“Ricardo is pleased to be supporting CNH Industrial on this important project,” commented Ricardo project director, Steve Pendrey. “Biomethane offers an attractive alternative and sustainable fuel pathway to mineral diesel, for the decarbonization of farm-based operation of tractors and other equipment in the off-highway and commercial vehicle areas. By bringing our automotive and off-highway engines expertise to this exciting project, we hope to play our part in pulling forward this promising technology.”
”CNH Industrial is a global leader in the development and commercialization of alternative propulsion technologies through its powertrain brand FPT Industrial,” added Alistair Walshaw, engineering project manager, CNH Industrial. “The company’s commercial vehicle brand IVECO is the market leader in on-highway natural gas commercial vehicles, and CNH Industrial’s New Holland Agriculture and CASE Construction Equipment brands are pioneering the use of natural gas in off-road applications.”
Source: Ricardo
