In the constant search for the best fuel economy, the lab focuses on the Scania
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ödertälje Sweden
Driver Support system, a standard feature. CM has come across this coaching device on road tests and, with the right attitude, it can prove addictive in the hunt for lower consumption figures. Drivers who regard learning as a life-long process should take to it. Those who feel they’ve seen it all and have nothing left to learn will sadly not benefit. We’ve been intrigued by the facility on test, eventually finding ourselves competing with the system, in a positive way. Gustavsson’s data on fuel consumed and where it goes shows where you need to look to make some decent savings. The variation between the best and worst truck on the fleet is 3%. Between the best and worst driver, it’s up to 11%. Variations from the weather show an 11% swing too, but there’s not a lot you can do on that front.
The project is now perceived to have delivered sufficient rewards for a bus operation to be under discussion. The regular bus fleet that runs from central Stockholm to the Scania plant at Södertälje looks as though it will be coming in for the transport laboratory treatment.
Gustavsson says: “On our best trips between Sweden and the Netherlands, with the best drivers and traffic and weather all in our favour, we have reached 18.2 litres per 100km [15.52mpg], a level that many say is impossible.” We’d agree! In conclusion, he says that it’s interesting working as a haulier, but he’s glad he doesn’t have to keep looking over his shoulder to see where the next load is coming from. We bet he is.