The Birmingham-based operator is running its latest addition – which replaces a vehicle from a rival manufacturer – on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) to maximise its green credentials and the early indications are it will be the most fuel-efficient truck in the firm’s 100-plus operation.
Anthony Delaney, sales & marketing director at Onpoint Logistics, said: “We’ve got plenty of older Volvo FHs on the fleet and we wanted to see what benefits, in terms of fuel figures, the Aero can bring in comparison to those.
“Initially, it will be running a trunk from Birmingham to Wales, with a double deck trailer on the back, so it’s on quite a testing, fuel-guzzling application. It’s still bedding in, and we are yet to have the driver training so there’s plenty more to come, but we’re already seeing an improvement of 0.5-0.7 MPG from the truck it replaced on that run – which is really encouraging. We expect to move forward with the subsequent order of 20 Aeros, which will arrive over the course of the next 18 months.”
Supplied by Daniel Byworth, area sales manager at Harthorne Group, the new Volvo FH Aero features a specification that is centred on maximum fuel efficiency. The aerodynamic design features Volvo’s Camera Monitoring System (CMS), which replaces the traditional wing mirrors.
Introduced with the launch of the FH Aero last year, the CMS improves aerodynamics and saves energy. The cameras open up a driver’s visual field in both good and challenging conditions, whilst an in-built surveillance mode lets the driver see outside the truck even when the curtains are drawn, for maximum protection and security.
Onpoint Logistics’ new Aero is powered by a Euro D13TC Step E 460 hp engine, leveraging turbo compound technology to deliver an additional 300 Nm of torque. This extends the fuel economy potential even further by introducing an extra turbine after the turbocharger to reuse excess fuel from the exhausts, which is then converted to torque directly on the crankshaft.
The innovative engine is paired with Volvo’s popular 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox technology, with optimised software for long haul operations. This includes I-See predictive cruise control – which allows the driver to tackle hills and gradients in a higher gear, saving fuel without losing speed.
“The early impressions are really good,” added Delaney. “The driver is still learning to get the very best out of it, but his feedback so far has been hugely positive.”
Supplied on a full Volvo Gold Contract, the new arrival is expected to clock-up around 130,000 km per annum, running five days a week and refuelling via a 40,000 litre HVO tank at Onpoint Logistics’ Birmingham headquarters.
Finished to a high specification, the FH Aero is liveried in the company’s blue and red livery and features twin fuel tanks, in-built fridge, microwave oven and Alcoa Dura-Bright alloy wheels.
Family-run Onpoint Logistics offers a wide range of transportation services for an extensive customer base – including many well-known, blue-chip companies.
