Addition for green fleet

The family-owned company Peyer Bern has been climate-neutral since 2020, which is why great importance is also attached to alternative drive types when expanding the fleet. A Renault D Wide with CNG drive recently joined the green fleet of the Bernese specialist for removals, transports and storage. Because Peyer Bern is already making an effort to do something for the future.

Chauffeur Lucien Benninger and the Renault D Wide with CNG drive of the Bernese family business Peyer Bern. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

A few weeks ago, Peyer Bern added a unique, climate-friendly vehicle to its fleet: a Piaggio Porter powered by CNG and equipped with a practical lift, which can be used almost CO₂-neutrally thanks to biogas or electricity. Recently, the specialist for removals, transport and storage, whose entire vehicle fleet has been CO₂-neutral since 2011, added another CNG vehicle to its fleet: a Renault D Wide.

Company boss Marc Peyer attaches great importance to the most sustainable mobility possible and therefore also uses various CNG vehicles. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

The Frenchman has already driven around 5400 kilometres with biogas in the tank for the family-owned company in Bern, now almost CO₂-neutral. Why did they decide on a Renault and another CNG-powered truck to complement the sustainable company fleet? Company boss Marc Peyer explains: “We live and work in a city governed by the red-green coalition. For our company, which is dependent on mobility and vehicles, this means that we have to move around the city in the most climate-friendly way possible. In this way, we are already making our contribution to climate change today and not just in the future, and we are also experiencing a certain level of acceptance.”

With biogas in the tank, even the mighty Renault truck is almost CO₂-neutral on the road. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

This also explains the decision to run on biogas. Compared to diesel trucks, gas-powered trucks emit up to 35 percent less CO₂ with conventional CNG. If they are powered by Swiss biogas, they emit up to 85 percent less. The nearest Renault Trucks agency is just around the corner, and we already have a good working relationship with them. In addition, they were able to meet our specifications for the truck, as we definitely wanted a body that could be retracted to a height of up to 3.30 metres so that we could also get through deep driveways.”

The Renault D Wide is usually refuelled at Peyer Bern’s own biogas filling station because of its long range – even ex works it is sufficient for up to 400 kilometres. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

The Renault D Wide even has more range than the standard models, which are equipped ex works with CNG tanks for up to 400 kilometres of travel. “We were able to take the old CNG tanks off another, decommissioned CNG vehicle and the company Apex then took care of the piping.” This means that the biogas truck can cover even longer distances before it is usually refuelled at the company’s own gas filling station. This is one of the reasons why Peyer Bern opted for the more climate-friendly drive system of CNG vehicles at an early stage. In addition to the Renault truck, the company fleet also includes a Piaggio Porter Zügelhelfer, an Iveco Daily and various CNG-powered passenger cars.

Chauffeur Lucien Benninger appreciates the torque of the CNG drive and above all its smooth running. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

“We have a very mixed fleet with vehicles from a wide range of brands, and there is also no fixed driver allocation, so anyone can drive the CNG-powered Renault once,” explains chauffeur Lucien Benninger, confidently taking the first exit in the roundabout. “I like the Renault truck, the torque and acceleration are better than with a diesel. In addition, the CNG drive is much smoother, which is very pleasant, especially for longer distances and many hours at the wheel,” says the driver. In addition to hauling goods and general cargo, he also transports materials for carpenters and kitchen builders with the truck and obviously feels comfortable at the wheel of the Renault.

The Renault with CNG drive offers plenty of space and its body can also be reduced to a height of only 3.30 metres, so that even deep courtyard entrances do not get in the way during a removal operation. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

“I have always enjoyed being on the road, vehicles have always fascinated me, whether motorbikes or even cars. And after an aborted apprenticeship as a bicycle mechanic, I was able to start working for Peyer Bern two years ago,” reveals Lucien Benninger as he precisely backs the 320-hp CNG truck into a parking position. “The interaction of the CNG engine with the Allison automatic transmission also works excellently and makes driving very pleasant,” he adds.

Thanks to biogas, the Renault D Wide with CNG drive is speedy and almost CO₂-neutral on the road. But it is by no means the only vehicle in the Peyer Bern fleet to use this drive technology. Source: CNG-Mobility.ch

Is it actually the first vehicle with an alternative drive for the young chauffeur? Benninger laughs: “No, with our green fleet you are often on the road without conventional diesel. I also often drive an Iveco Daily with CNG drive. We use it to transport laundry from old people’s homes in the city, and there it’s always an advantage not to have to use a diesel.” (jas, 21 July 2023)