n What were the operating costs per
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mile for a 7-tonner and an 8-wheeler carrying a maximum permissible load 10 years ago? I am asking so as to get a basis for assessing increases in the cost of running commercial vehicles since then.
AFormerly the COMMERCIAL MOTOR Tables of Operating Costs were published on alternate years and the relevant edition in this case is 1958.
Assuming in both cases that the average weekly mileage is appropriate to the size of vehicle, the total operating costs per mile for the 7-tonner when averaging 600 miles a week in 1958 was 15.36d. a mile. Allowing a higher mileage of 800 miles a week for a larger vehicle, the total operating costs per mile was then 22.33d.
However, in making comparisons of this nature remember that there have been not only many adjustments in prices, wages and other costs but also variations and improvements in vehicle specification, to which regard has to be paid. Additionally, in the case of the 8-wheeler a maximum gross weight of 24 tons, which applied in 1958, no longer applies today although a large • number of this type of vehicle continues to be operated.