Exel goes cold and green
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Exel Logistics plans to run a trial with an aerodynamically designed 17-tonne reefer which it says will be "the most advanced refrigerated vehicle yet".
The NFC-subsidiary is collaborating with Renault and Leedsbased bodybuilder GRP Massey on the vehicle, which it expects to "come off the production line very shortly".
"We're taking aerodynamics further than they have been previously on a refrigerated truck, and we're also looking at noise and pollution with where we site the fridge unit," says Exel business development director Ian Veitch. "We want to see how far we can take it environmentally."
Exel Logistics has been pioneering the use of green vehicles. At the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show it helped launch an aerodynamic experiment using two Leyland Daf Freighters fitted with Besco-built and Ricardodesigned wind-cheating kits. It has been running them on an Argos contract, comparing their fuel consumption with two standard Freighters.
A Commercial Motor roadtest found the aerodynamic truck used 18% less fuel (CM 12-18 April 1990).
In June the firm announced that it was to spend more than £.3m on an environmental programme, including aerodynamic kits for vehicles and training drivers to drive in a more fuelefficient way. It is also equipping its depots with plug-in points for reefers to cut fuel use, and is using recycled water in its vehicle washes (CM 13-19 June).