Green artic to test incentive
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by Robin Meczes • JW Suckling Transport is testing the Government's £500 tax break on environmentally friendly vehicles by comparing the costs of its low-pollution Eco Guardian against those of a conventional artic.
The West Thurrock-based company has spent £250,000 on two Leyland Daf 75.290 CFs coupled to tanker trailers for a Shell UK contract. This includes £10,000 for a package of environmentally friendly features on the Eco Guardian, including: • Shell ultra-low-sulphur diesel; • Shell Rimula Ultra synthetic engine oil; • Shell Spirax GSX and ASX synthetic gear and axle oils; • An Eminox CRT caralytic converter • Purfleet Commercials Precision Leak Detection system; • Thompson Carmichael acoustic enclosures; • Michelin low-rolling-resistance tyres.
JW Suckling's managing director, Peter Lamer, says its truck will qualify for the Government's £500 reduction in VED when it comes into effect next year. "The Eco Guardian will show whether or not there is a cost in being environmentally friendly—and if so, whether that cost is indeed L500," says Lamer.
Compared with a conventional Euro-2 truck, the Eco Guardian is expected to cut hydrocarbon emissions by 82%, carbon monoxide by 90%, nitrogen oxides by up to 78% and particulates by 93%.
A further £20,000 will be spent on tests at Millbrook. Both Dais will be tested for emissions, noise and fuel consumption in November and again next April.
In addition to the tax break, Lamer believes some of the extra expense will be recouped by the Michelin tyres, which are said to cut fuel consumption by 6%, and by lower maintenance costs.
"I'll be very interested to see the difference in fuel consumption and the effects synthetic lubricants will have," says Lamer. "As synthetic lubricants generally have a much longer drying period. I don't imagine we'll need an oil change on the Eco Guardian until the end of the year."