P FUEL CONSUMPTION
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DPD vans: limited savings
PARCEL DELIVERY specialist DRD says it has experienced limited fuel consumption improvements from its 10 ECO-Startequipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.
Mercedes claims that the technology, which switches the engine off when a vehicle is stationary, can potentially reduce consumption by 10%. DPD hub director Charlie Shiels says: "It's been disappointing, to be honest. There has been a benefit, but we were hoping for 10%. If we've done 2% or 3%, I'd be surprised. Will the extra investment pay for itself over the life of the van? Probably, just about."
Shiels says DPD's typical load is 100 parcels per van per day. It is, therefore, surprising that DPD has not seen more benefit, as this is the sort of stop/start, multi-drop work ECO-Start was designed for (it engages only when coolant temperatures are between 40)C and 100°C typical of stop/starting).
A spokesman for Mercedes says: "While we have seen reductions of 10% in fuel consumption, this is dependent on the actual route, which should be urban-based, with regular stop-starting."