Annual Report 2004 - FCC

Technological innovationNew natural gas engineIn keeping with FCC’s commitmentto use alternative energies in citysanitation services, the Group has madean important technological stride withthe incorporation of a new natural gasengine.Up to now, FCC had only a 260 CVnatural gas engine for heavy vehiclesand a 115 CV for complementaryservices. In the intermediate powerrange, i.e., vehicles from 6 to 19 Tm,there were no lorries with natural gasengines. With the development ofthis engine, it is now possible to devisespecial collection and by extensionstreet cleaning industries with this fuelwith very low contaminating emissionlevels.The new 200 CV engine can be fittedto 12 and 18 Tm chassis and usedto perform all trash collection, streetcleaning and even sewer cleaningservices using natural gas poweredvehicle.6.50 m 3 wide vehiclereduced to 1.80 metresThe use of these natural gas enginesentails defining and building onvehicles of an exceptional width(1.8 and 2 metres) all of the transmissionelements, gas infrastructure, tanks,etc., all of which must necessarily offerthe same features as a diesel engine.A great deal of research went into thedesign of these reduced size vehiclesto ensure the same autonomy as adiesel vehicle. By installing special tanksof compressed gas with very smallwidths and lengths on chassis structureit was possible to maintain theexceptional manoeuvrability conditionsof these vehicles designed and builtexclusively for FCC.By way of example and as a basicreference to the emission levels attained,the reduction of emission levels exceedEEC requirements by between 82% and98%.ServicesNatural gas-powered citygarbage trucks25