GLS Austria has started deploying seven new natural gas vehicles in the Tyrolean lowlands as partof the company’s initiative “Think Green” that it has been pursuing for four years.
The new Fiat Ducato delivery vehicles, worth €240,000 each, started operating out of thedepot at Zirl in Tyrol in mid-June. This is not the first time GLS has invested in sustainablemeasures in Tyrol as it has already been operating an eco-depot there since 2008.
Natural gas is worthwhile both from environmental and economic perspectives. The emissionsfrom gas-powered vehicles are much lower, their engines much quieter and they have a longer lifetime due to the particularly clean combustion, the company said.
Dr. Axel Spoerl, General Manager, GLS Austria said: “In addition, there is a price advantagein terms of the fuel. For €10 worth of natural gas, the new delivery vans drive about fourkilometers further than with diesel worth the same price. The increased acquisition costs are thuscompensated fairly quickly. ”
The new vehicles also eliminate the potential loss of loading space loss which is often afactor when switching to natural gas. The gas tanks are not placed in the boot anymore but in thefloor of the vehicle which saves space. Moreover, natural gas vehicles can now drive good distancesand the number of natural gas stations has risen sharply over the past few years, the companypointed out.
As part of its environmental initiative Think Green, GLS takes environmental aspects intoaccount in its business activities, for example during construction or reconstruction of its sitesbut also for purchasing and utilisation of vehicles or for route planning.
Klaus Schädle, Managing Director of GLS Europe South, added: “Climate protection and economicefficiency can also be combined in the transport industry. Low-emission vehicles are a step in theright direction.”
