10/21/10

Global Transport Giant TNT Goes Gas With Isuzu


TNT Express recently celebrated the delivery of two Isuzu FSR 850 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, as it strives to become the first carbon neutral transport company in the world.

The Isuzu FSR 850 CNG trucks were purchased as part of the TNT 'Planet Me' environmental program, which seeks to reduce company CO2 output by 45 per cent from 2007 levels in the short term and reach carbon neutrality in the long term.

Specified for metropolitan pick-up and delivery applications, the newly acquired Isuzu CNG trucks will be based at TNT's Hume, ACT depot and are replacing two older conventional diesel powered trucks in the same weight class.

TNT Express Regional Director NSW/ACT, Dave Charlesworth, said the Isuzu CNG trucks are one of the cleanest on the market and will assist TNT greatly in its ambitious environmental plan.

"TNT through the 'Planet Me' program is heavily focused on achieving a better environmental outcome across all areas of its business – particularly the reduction of CO2 in its plant equipment," Mr Charlesworth said.

"Isuzu's CNG trucks comfortably meet Euro V standards and even reach proposed Euro VI benchmarks in the area of particulate matter emissions, so they are a great asset for our Canberra operations."

With the expectation of diesel price rises in the future, using Compress Natural Gas powered vehicles is also expected to reap financial savings for TNT, according to Mr Charlesworth.

"We along with many others hold the view that world oil prices will not remain the same heading into the future," Mr Charlesworth said.

"With gas prices being more stable compared to diesel over time, we are able to forecast fuel costs for our CNG fleet more accurately and divert resources elsewhere."

Picking up, transporting and delivering parcels in the Canberra area, the two TNT Isuzu CNG trucks also provide a string of up-to-date safety and driver comfort features for their operators, said TNT Express Operations Manager Canberra, Wayne Farnhill.

"One of the main things the operators notice in the CNG trucks is the lack of emissions coming from the exhaust," Mr Farnhill said.

"Not having diesel fumes or a smell at all in confined spaces is a great occupational health and safety advantage for us, as our drivers are in and out of loading docks and warehouses all day.

"The other advantage of the Isuzu FSR 850 CNG – as commented upon by our operators – is the ISRI air suspended seat, narrow cab and low deck height, which allows drivers to manoeuvre the truck easily in crowded metropolitan conditions," Mr Farnhill said.

Along with the recently delivered Isuzu CNG trucks, TNT's 55 depots across Australia have taken delivery of over 300 Isuzu trucks ranging from the entry level NPR 300 to the heavy duty FVY 1400 in the last three years.

At present, TNT Australia operates and maintains over 700 Isuzu trucks and replaces its Isuzu fleet on a rolling replacement program of eight to 12 years.

According to TNT Express National Fleet and Equipment Manager, Paul Wild, TNT's relationship with Isuzu Trucks spans over three decades.

"We have a long relationship with Isuzu Trucks dating back to the 1970s when Isuzus were marketed as Bedford by Isuzu," Mr Wild said.

"TNT has such a strong relationship with Isuzu Trucks because the company throughout the years has been able to meet our commercial and technical needs, whilst delivering reliability in transport equipment.

"We place very demanding requirements on our transport equipment, as our services can range from the delivery of a postcard to a jumbo jet engine.

"TNT uses the best infrastructure and transport equipment to attract, serve and retain customers and Isuzu Trucks over the years has been a crucial factor in achieving this for us," Mr Wild said.

With the company's ambitious environmental plan underway, TNT looks forward to the acquisition of Euro V Isuzu trucks in 2011.

To see more about Isuzu Trucks, Australia, visit http://www.isuzu.com.au/.

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