Reading Borough Council orders first Renault trucks16 January 2019
Reading Borough Council has taken delivery of its first Renault vehicles, after a five-marque evaluation in which Renault achieved top score across all criteria.
Supplied by Renault Trucks Commercials, in Reading, the council’s new additions are all replacements for its 240-strong fleet. They are seven Range D12 tippers, as well as a D16 tipper grab and a D18 tipper; a Range C2300 18t gulley sucker is on order.
The Range Ds are for the highways and drainage team, and all are fitted with an onboard compressor for the pneumatic tools along with vehicle security – a crucial feature, says fleet and transport assistant manager Tom Howes.
“We need to keep the engine switched on to run the compressor and with the driver working outside of the truck, there is an obvious security issue. The ‘Key Out System’ allows the key to be removed from the ignition but keeps the truck and tools running seamlessly without the worry of the vehicle being stolen,” says Howes.
The council was also sold on the Range D’s ‘Vision’ passenger door, giving drivers improved side visibility.
Fitted with Optitronic 6AS 800 automated gearbox and automated clutch, the D12s have six forward and one reverse gear, with operation mode control and gear selection at the steering wheel.
Initial driver feedback for the Range D has been positive, adds Howes: “We are always mindful that we need to impress the drivers and, thankfully, the transition to the Range D has been pretty seamless.”
Author
Laura Cork
Related Companies
Renault Trucks UK Ltd
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