Tuffnells’ fuel trials lead to Scania Euro 6 trucks 17 November 2014

National collection and delivery firm Tuffnells Parcels Express has ordered 64 Scania trucks for its 2014/5 fleet replacements, following fuel trials in which a Scania Euro 6 out-performed four rivals and delivered almost 1mpg better fuel consumption than its Euro 5 trucks.

Being delivered by Scania (Great Britain) on a five year contract hire agreement, the order comprises 13 G 410 LA4x2MNA sleeper cab tractor units and 51 Scania P 410 LB4x2NMB day cab drawbar rigids.

"In common with many other operators, we had heard scare stories about the fuel efficiency of Euro 6 vehicles compared to Euro 5 so we decided to explore for ourselves whether the rumours were fact or fiction," states Tuffnells Parcels Express operations director Graham Hollingdrake.

"With our heavy trucks averaging 190,000 km a year, fuel is obviously a critical success factor for us. It was therefore essential that we evaluated the products on the marketplace before committing to ensure we made the correct purchasing decision."

Tuffnells Parcels Express National fleet manager Andrew Morton organised the trials.

"Five manufacturers were invited to supply vehicles for a month-long comparative fuel trial," he reports.

"Over the course of the event, the vehicles were run repeatedly over a number of our regular routes in order to produce results that could be meaningfully compared," he continues.

"In addition to the fuel returns, we also reviewed the total package from each manufacturer. Having operated Scanias for the past four years, we know the truck to be reliable and dependable, and that service is always close at hand whenever we need it.

"We monitor all downtime closely as this can have a significant effect on our trunking operations. Experience tells us that the uptime of our Scania fleet is exceptionally high – hence our decision to opt for the marque once again."

Tuffnells Parcels Express operates 34 depots around the country. The new Scania fleet will be based at several of these, with all maintenance undertaken at each depot's local Scania dealer.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Scania (Great Britain) Ltd

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