Iveco said it has secured the largest deal for its Stralis NP vehicles with the logistics company Jost Group ordered 500 trucks running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. The first 150 vehicles will enter into operation during 2018, with the full fleet to be in service by 2020, according to CNH Industrial, Iveco’s parent company.

Jost Group, with offices spanning 10 countries in Europe and North Africa, has set a goal to have 35 percent of its fleet running on liquefied natural gas and is backing this with an investment in its own LNG refueling infrastructure, with plans to open up to three filling stations within its major operating centers in Belgium.

This order will replace pre-Euro VI diesel-powered vehicles, aged four to five years, in the Belgian firm’s fleet of 1,400 trucks and 3,000 trailers. Presently, Jost Group conducts operations with 132 IVECO Stralis vehicles, including two running on compressed natural gas (CNG).

Today, more than 22,000 IVECO gas-powered vehicles have been sold.

Commenting on the agreement, Roland Jost, Owner of Jost Group, says: “This marks a key turning point for our business as we begin a strategic move away from our dependence on diesel and towards green logistics, as requested by our customers, which are demanding a more sustainable transport. Our excellent experience operating Stralis Euro 5 EEV diesel vehicles has seen us establish a solid relationship with IVECO, supported by a very strong service network across Belgium.”