Rhodar cuts emissions with Mercedes-Benz Sprinters 13 January 2011

Asbestos removal specialist Rhodar says it has been cleaning up its own act – and saving money – with 25 new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.

The Leeds-based firm's Sprinters are all equipped with Mercedes' ECO-Start system, which cuts the engine when the vehicle is stationary for three seconds, and re-starts it as the driver depresses the clutch.

Group transport manager Stephen Haigh confirms that the new system reduces fuel consumption and emissions. "It's helping us to cut our fuel use and exhaust emissions, particularly in busy city traffic, and thereby reducing our carbon footprint," he says.

"The Sprinters' servicing costs are highly competitive too," he adds. "And although they hardly ever break down, I'm very impressed with the quick and efficient way that Mercedes-Benz has handled the rare problems we have had."

The Sprinter 313CDIs were supplied by dealer Northside Truck & Van, also of Leeds, and replace a previous fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans.

"We've been delighted with the performance of those vehicles," comments Haigh. "They proved extremely reliable over the last five years. The engines and gearboxes are seemingly bullet-proof; they just ran and ran."

Rhodar's new vans are now hard at work, transporting work crews, tools and equipment to sites across the UK. Some also tow mobile decontamination units, which are divided into three compartments.

After working on an asbestos site operatives enter at the 'dirty end', remove protective clothing, then pass through to the middle section, which is equipped with showers, before exiting through the 'clean end'.

Like all Sprinters, Rhodar's new vans are fitted as standard with Trailer Stability Assist, which works with the Adaptive ESP (electronic stability programme) to counteract fishtailing and make towing easier and safer.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd

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