Irizar adds natural gas options
Irizar Group is incorporating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into its range of technologies.
The environmental benefits offered by coaches with this technology reduce CO2 emissions by between 20% and 25%, NOx by up to 60% and emissions of particulate matter by over 98%. In addition to higher thermal performance than diesel, vibrations and noise emissions are also minimized by between 4-5 dB. Irizar estimates the reduction in operating cost may be as high as 35%, depending on the differential between the cost of gas and diesel. The maintenance cost remains similar to that of a conventional diesel vehicle, according to the manufacturer.
The vehicles have a range of up to 500 km in the CNG version and twice as long in the LNG technology.
Irizar’s range of gas vehicles includes the Irizar i4 and Irizar i3le models from 12 to 15 metres in CNG version and Irizar i4, Irizar i6 and Irizar i6S from 12 to 15 metres in the LNG version, all on Scania chassis.
The first vehicle equipped with this technology is the Irizar i4 class II model, designed as a metropolitan, commuter, school transport or business coach. This is an Irizar i4 version H, 12.92m vehicle on a Scania K320 EB 4X2 E6D CNG chassis.
With a total weight of about 750 kg, it incorporates 4 longitudinal type IV CNG cylindrical tanks, with a total volume of 1260 dm3 and an approximate gas capacity of 240 kg. However, depending on the needs of the operator, it can be fitted with an additional tank to increase range. It is also fitted with a filling panel with two gas outlets and a pressure gauge. The integration of the storage tanks preserves the aesthetics and aerodynamics of the vehicle and should mean it can perform the same type of service as a similar diesel vehicle with optimum road holding and maximum safety.
The driver has a gas control screen that can be used to detect leaks and monitor the start-up of the water additive aerosol fire extinguishing system.
The new generation of the i4 model was presented in October 2019 at the international Busworld fair. Irizar already has orders for these coaches.