The Penistone, South Yorkshire-based business has ordered 21 Scania R 450 trucks, which will go into service by the end of this year.
Plated at 44-tonnes gtw, 20 of the trucks are 6x2/4 twinsteer tractor units, with one skiploader drawbar rigid. The tractors will each cover up to 300,000km per annum hauling J G Pears’ fleet of bulk tipping trailers.
“Our fuel trials were conducted over a route we run twice a day between Newark, Sleaford and Newant in Gloucestershire,” says Andrew Bostock (pictured), J G Pears’ group logistics manager.
“We trialled each truck repeatedly over this relatively easy-terrain route, with the same two drivers to eliminate any bias or road condition variations. In short, the Scania R 450 obliterated the competition by returning 10.2 mpg.”
Some of the new trucks have already gone into operation and, says Bostock, are averaging 9.7 mpg when 30% loaded outbound and fully loaded on return.
“This performance and the corresponding reduction in our carbon footprint has helped us secure a five star rating under the ECO Stars fleet recognition scheme,” he adds.
The trucks are supplied by Scania’s Sheffield branch, which will also carry out fleet maintenance.
