Bedfords Transport has ordered a further 12 Iveco EcoStralis 6×2 mid-lift tractor units after its first two Active Space Super tractors beat the four per cent fuel saving guarantee.
The first two tractors were measured against Bedfords’ 80-strong fleet which has an 8.47 mpg average. The two EcoStralis tractors delivered an average fuel economy of 9.6 mpg and 9.98 mpg respectively during June and July, equating to an average saving of 13.6 per cent against the fleet average.
This enhanced fuel economy is projected to achieve savings of more than £20,000 per vehicle, based on a bulk diesel price of £1.15 per litre, on 140,000km per year over three years.
Steve Hollingsworth, fleet engineer at Bedfords Transport, said: “Iveco guaranteed the EcoStralis would deliver at least a four per cent improvement in fuel economy against our fleet average, once the initial 20,000km running-in period was completed. In actual fact we’ve literally smashed that target from the very start.
“What makes this performance particularly impressive is that it’s been the holiday period, and we’ve had different drivers, including agency drivers behind the wheel. Now the initial 20,000km running-in period is over, I’m confident the savings will increase further.”
The additional 12 new EcoStralis’ are scheduled for delivery at a rate of four vehicles per month during September, October and November 2011. They will increase Iveco’s share of the company’s fleet to 60 per cent.
