Brewery quenches fuel thirst with Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid17 July 2014

The Bristol Beer Factory has taken delivery of a 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid to save on fuel and emissions while delivering its ales to customers.

Supplied by dealer City West Commercials, the Eco Hybrid is Bristol Beer Factory's largest delivery vehicle to date, but was selected for its environmental credentials.

The company is experiencing rapid growth and needed a larger vehicle, as managing director Simon Bartlett explains: "We needed a bigger vehicle so we didn't have to keep coming back to the brewery to reload.

"Environmental compatibility was one of our key criteria… So, too, were payload potential and all-round suitability for the job, as well as running costs. The Canter Eco Hybrid ticked all the boxes and was a clear winner."

The vehicle's 150bhp diesel engine works in parallel with a slimline 54bhp electric motor. It moves off using electric power, switching to a combination of diesel and electric once a speed of around 6 mph is reached.

Depending on power demand, the electric motor also supports the diesel at higher speeds. Switches between modes are seamless and require no input from the driver.

The Eco Hybrid, says Mercedes, offers the highest body and payload allowance of any 7.5-tonner on the market. The light weight of its electric motor and lithium-ion batteries means the hybrid version weighs only 160kg more than the standard Canter, and it offers a 5-tonne body and payload.

Bartlett adds: "The Canter has certainly improved our operational efficiency, while the fact that it's smaller than most 7.5-tonne vehicles is an added bonus, as we have to negotiate some narrow streets and tight delivery areas."

City West Commercials will be servicing the Eco Hybrid under a five-year Mercedes R&M contract.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Mercedes Benz Uk Limited

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