Fuel economy drives Actros choice for transport firm25 October 2013

MSL Transport has taken delivery of six new Mercedes-Benz Actros units in a move driven by equipment reliability and, notably, above-average fuel economy.

The Broxburn, Edinburgh-based firm's fleet is dominated by Mercedes-Benz trucks, which are now joined by two 2545 GigaSpace tractor units, two 2545 BigSpace rigids and a pair of 2546 tractors. The equipment was supplied by dealer Western Commercial.

Dave Sharp, director of MSL Transport, says: "Like most operators... our biggest concern is fuel. Our tractor units don't run heavy but we pull very high capacity double-deck trailers, which are a big drain on a vehicle's fuel economy because they are so tall.

"Even so, our new Actros tractors are averaging 8.8 mpg and with standard trailers they're recording 9.9 mpg, which is certainly ahead of our average. The rigids meanwhile are averaging about 9.5 mpg, which is very good considering they're on multi-drop work with constant stopping and starting."

The Actros units are powered by 450 bhp straight-six engines, driving through Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmissions.

MSL has since ordered two more Actros 2545 units with GigaSpace cabs.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Mercedes Benz Uk Limited

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