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IVECO COACH CROWNED SUSTAINABLE BUS OF THE YEAR, 2020

FOR THE THIRD consecutive year, Iveco Bus has won the modern-day global industry coveted ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year’ award – in the Inter-urban category - as announced at Busworld, 2019, recently in Brussels, Belgium.

After winning the Sustainable Bus of the Year, 2019, title with its Crealis In-Motion-Charging ‘trolleybus’, the company retains the accolade in the inter-urban category with its Crossway Natural Power coach.

After winning with the Crossway Low Entry Natural Power bus – voted ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year, 2018’ – at Busworld in 2017 (the title reflects a standard of technology and innovation of the year to come each time), this new award recognises Iveco Bus’s position as “…undisputed leader in the inter-city segment and confirms its commitment to energy transition and alternative fuels”, the company states.

Unveiled last year at Autocar Expo, France, the Crossway Natural Power coach benefits have already been recognised by public transport specialists, says Iveco – which has now completed its range of natural-gas powered vehicles, it confirms.

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“With this ‘Sustainable Bus of the Year, 2020’ award, we are reaffirming our position as segment leader with a mature, virtuous and eco-responsible well-to-wheel solution,” said Stéphane Espinasse, Iveco Bus brand leader during the award ceremony at the Busworld show.

“By awarding the title to our Crossway Natural Power, the jury members have recognised its qualities and confirmed the choice of the many operators who have already selected this vehicle since its launch,” he stated.

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NEW ALTERNATIVE

According to the company, the Crossway Natural Power is equipped with the latest-generation Iveco Cursor 9 NP engine and includes a clever design integrating the compressed gas tanks into the roof. This exclusive, patented feature “…optimises the vehicle’s centre of gravity for greater on-road stability and increases comfort for the driver and passengers,” it says. The design also makes it the lowest vehicle on the market in terms of overall height, meaning that it can be operated without specific restrictions, it adds.

The Crossway Natural Power coach provides the same accessibility, passenger capacity and luggage space as the diesel version. With a total capacity of 1,260 litres (four 315-litre tanks), the vehicle has a range of up to 600km and is compatible with rapid or slow filling, Iveco confirms. The Cursor 9 NP engine delivers 360hp or 265kW, the same as its diesel equivalent. The interior has a minimum 2-metre height and features hand luggage racks.

Available as 12- and 13-metre models – and in ‘Line’ and ‘Pop’ versions – the Crossway NP is the new alternative for regions, counties and cities wishing to provide transport solutions fully compatible with energy transition projects, the company says.

It is fully compatible with biomethane and thus has an excellent carbon balance with a reduction in greenhouse gas production of up to 95 per cent, Iveco claims.

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WHY IT WON

The jury of the ‘Sustainable Bus Award’ – composed of seven representatives from European magazines: Autobus (Italy), Mobilités Magazine (France), Busfahrt (Germany), OV-Magazine (the Netherlands), InfoBus (Poland), Infotrucker (Romania), Carril Bus (Spain) – focuses on “transverse sustainability principals”, specifically the “ability to establish a positive image of the vehicle with the public”.

Several aspects are taken into consideration, such as safety, comfort, noise levels, recyclability of components and the general sustainability commitment of the manufacturer, it’s explained. The verdict also highlights the range of alternative solutions available for the intercity segment. 

Photography: courtesy Iveco Bus Europe

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