Long-term Volvo customer Longcliffe has taken delivery of three new Volvo FH Aero 6x2 tractor units, keen to explore the added fuel efficiency benefits delivered by the manufacturer’s most aerodynamically designed vehicles.
The Derbyshire-based business – the UK’s leading independent supplier of high-purity calcium carbonates – operates a 52-strong commercial vehicle fleet, all of which are exclusively supplied by Volvo Trucks.
Longcliffe uses the digital fleet management system Volvo Connect to get the most from every truck – regularly unlocking more than 10 miles per gallon (mpg) from its standard Volvo FH tractor units, despite the demanding application of pulling heavy powder tankers.
James Hopkinson, head of transport at Longcliffe says: “We find Volvo Connect a great tool to support the drivers.
“The data we receive helps us to pull together specific driver training programmes, which helps our trucks achieve the best mpg possible. With the new aerodynamic design of the FH Aero, and the latest technologies improving efficiency further, we are excited to see how much more fuel economy we can unlock from these latest units.”
The three new FH Aero tractor units – supplied by Tom Hulse, area sales manager at Hartshorne Group – are powered by a Euro 6-compliant D13TC Step E engine, which produces 500 hp and a peak torque of 2,800 Nm, benefited by turbo compounding technology.
This extends the fuel economy potential 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 engines are paired with Volvo’s 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox technology, plus I-See predictive cruise control. The latter allows the driver to tackle hills and gradients in a higher gear, saving fuel without losing speed.
Longcliffe takes delivery of Volvo units for calcium carbonate deliveries
