The environmentally-friendly Mercedes Sprinter NGT (Natural Gas Technology) is a relatively new addition to the Mercedes-Benz van range, but one that is proving increasingly attractive to operators seeking to ‘clean up their act’.
Trials by local authorities in Leeds, Sheffield and Bedfordshire, have proved a resounding success, with orders now pending. And Waitrose recently purchased five Sprinter NGTs which run on liquid biomethane made from landfill gas.
In the past, the lack of a viable natural gas-powered product meant there was no incentive to grow the fuelling network, while it was the very absence of those fuelling points that held manufacturers back.
With the Sprinter NGT Mercedes-Benz confronted this ‘chicken and egg’ situation head on – and with more commercial fuelling facilities now coming on line, it is set to capitalise on the bold lead it has taken.
By 2020, the European Union expects alternative sources of energy to account for nearly one quarter of the total fuel market. So it’s no surprise that independent experts are predicting a bright future for natural gas and its substitute biomethane.
The Sprinter NGT is a bi-fuel vehicle, powered by petrol or gas. When running on gas it is very quiet and produces virtually no exhaust particulate emissions – levels of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide are also all down dramatically compared to diesel models. CO2 emissions, meanwhile, are on a par with those of equivalent diesel-powered vehicles.
Unless, that is, the gas is methane produced from decomposing vegetation, because this fuel source also delivers big carbon reductions. This explains why Mercedes-Benz is initially targeting the Sprinter NGT at local authorities and supermarkets, which have access to large quantities of organic material that could be used as low-cost, environmentally-friendly fuel – in Bedfordshire, for example, the Sprinter NGTs being trialled were fuelled by compressed biomethane produced at a local food waste processing plant.
All too often in the past, environmental compatibility in commercial vehicle operation has come at a price. Not so with the Sprinter NGT – as well as being kind to the environment, it also promises running costs which are competitive in comparison to those of equivalent diesel models.
The use of natural gas as a fuel for vehicles is not new. Mercedes-Benz launched a previous Sprinter-based model as long ago as 1998, and rival manufacturers also offer vans that run on compressed natural gas.
But none offers the ‘real world’ practicality and flexibility of the latest Mercedes-Benz, which is available as a panel van, chassis cab, dropside or Traveliner minibus as the Sprinter 316 NGT or as the 5.0-tonne Sprinter 516 NGT chassis cab.
The flick of a dash-mounted switch is all it takes to transfer between power modes. Depending on the model the Sprinter NGT can cover up to 300km on gas, but on petrol will potentially keep going for another 700km.
The model’s four-cylinder, 1.8-litre M 271 E 18ML engine delivers an impressive 156hp, irrespective of the fuel source. It is mated as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox, although an automatic torque converter transmission is available as an optional alternative.
The gas tanks are installed beneath the floor and do not restrict load capacity. Models with 3.5-tonne gross weights can be fitted with up to six tanks offering a maximum volume of 294 litres; three tanks with a combined capacity of 246 litres are used in 5.0-tonne variants.
Importantly, and in contrast to some competitors’ products which are retrofitted, the Sprinter NGT is fully built on the Mercedes-Benz production line and therefore covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage, manufacturer’s warranty.
