EEV now standard spec on all new Ivecos (well almost all of them). And Biglorryblog says: "Come on DfT and Treasury--cough up some money for Reduced Pollution Certificates for them!"

Dig this crazy tipper colour scheme...! But that's not why Biglorryblog I've posted it up. At the recent Iveco 'Stae of the Nation' the Italian truck maker confirmed that from now on all Eurocargo, Trakker and Stralis models (except the Stralis 560) will come equipped to the Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV) level as standard. And it's about time I blogged on it. Iveco tells me: "This follows two major trends Iveco has set previously in the truck sector by offering its trucks with automated EuroTronic gearboxes as standard, as well as standardising on Euro 5 across its product ranges, two years ahead of the deadline."

Martin Flach, product director at Iveco UK, explains to BLB: "All new models ordered from our factories will be built to meet EEV standards with immediate effect. EEV was originally developed as the appropriate level for a CNG-powered vehicle, and serves as a stepping stone between Euro 5 and Euro 6.  Most importantly, it sees the diesel particulates in a vehicle's emissions cut from 0.03 to 0.02 g/kw hour." I understand the EEV rating is achieved through more work on the combustion process--rather than by adding any additional diesel particulate filter. "Whilst some manufacturers offer EEV as an added-cost option on specific models in their ranges, Iveco is the first to make it available across the board as standard on all new factory orders," says Martin.

Meanwhile, Iveco (along with other manufacturers) is lobbying the government to introduce a financial incentive for operators to adopt the new EEV technology, with the withdrawal of the Reduced Pollution Certificate due in September 2009.  "There are already incentives available in some European member states for purchasing EEV vehicles," notes Martin. "...and indeed any UK operator with an EEV vehicle would pay lower tolls if travelling through Germany.  We'd like the UK Government to recognise the benefits of fleets adopting this new greener technology and to provide a suitable incentive. The environmental benefits of an operator taking an older Euro 2 or 3 truck off the road and replacing it with an EEV vehicle are significant."  To which Biglorryblog says 'I'll buy that--and the DfT and more importantly the Treasury, should jolly well pay for it too! An RPC isn't much--but it's better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper. And speaking of smart tippers click through here for a smart Kiwi Stralis kroozer!