1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144 
Maximum returr
Page 46
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
As the recession bites ever deeper, hardpressed operators need to screw every drop of diesel from their trucks. How can manufacturers help them do it?
Words: Roanna Avison
One of the key areas operators can look at to make sure that they are not squandering resources or running inefficiently is fuel, or, more specifically, making sure their drivers are not using any more diesel than they need to. This will not only save costs, but will also help improve the haulier's green credentials.
While there are many types of training available in the market, one of the most obvious places to start looking for advice specific to an operator's fleet is the truck manufacturers themselves. Although some of them provide only small-scale training to those who buy new trucks, others offer a wider range of options to help hauliers get the best out of their fleet.
MAN
MAN's approach to driver training is through its ProfiDrive team. The course isn't solely focused on fuel economy, but includes elements on product familiarisation and performance. All the training takes place at MAN's regional office in Sandbach at a cost of £100 per person per day. The training is headed up by lead driver trainer John Griffiths.
"We have a dedicated vehicle and use the before/after practical driving process, with a theoretical classroom session in between," the company says.
"Drivers go round our route without any instruction, then have the classroom briefing followed by lunch. After this they go out round thesame route for the second time followed by a review of performance in the classroom."
The spokesman adds the training is mainly used by operators running artics —"results show an average 15% improvement in economical driving': The training can be used towards the Driver CPC.
Operators can contact their local MAN Direct sales contact or their MAN network service workshop to book training or the Profidrive team on 01270 752312.
Renault Trucks
While Renault offers only nominal driver training when a new vehicle is handed over to the customer, it plans to launch fuel economy training in conjunction with independent training company Quality Transport Training (OTT) next month. Prices have yet to be decided, but the manufacturer is planning to run two courses— one aimed at drivers and one at fleet managers and trainers.A Renault spokeswoman says the training will be launched under the Optifuel brand. Optifuel Driver will be aimed at new and existing customers, "The training will be done in the customer's own trucks on routes they regularly run," the spokeswoman says.
Optifuel Manager is designed to teach fleet managers or driver trainers how to use Renault's onboard Infomax telematics system and to interpret the data to monitor driver performance.
The training is expected to be approved to allow it to contribute towards the Driver CPC and will be available through Renault's dealer network.
Mercedes-Benz Under the ECO driver brand Mercedes-Benz has been running fuel economy training for 23 years.
This training can he used by customers' trainers to ensure all their drivers arc making the best use of the truck, but it is also open to drivers.
A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz says the course involves the drivers first going out on the road and driving normally. "They then go into the classroom and learn how they can improve; then the drivers go out on the road and put the theory into practice.
"The course doesn't just cover fuel economy training. It also looks at driver awareness, driving style and journey times as well as safety." He adds drivers can "take some convincing" that by slowing down, they can achieve a faster overall journey time.
The training can be provided at Mercedes' Wentworth Park facility in a converted six-seater Actros MegaSpace or at the customer site in the customer vehicle.
The spokesman adds: "We hope the training will be approved so it can be used as part of the Driver CPC.
As with other manufacturers, Mercedes dealers also offer familiarisation training to customers when they pick up new trucks.
For more information on Mercedes-Benz and its range of Driver Training courses please call 0800 090090 or log on to www.mercedes-henz.co.uk/trucks
Scania
Mark Agnew, driver training manager at Scania GB, says the manufacturer has offered fuel economy training for over 20 years. "Our aim is to make the job easier for drivers and with that comes better fuel economy. It's about driving smart rather than driving hard." he says.
Agnew says every training course is bespoke to each customer's requirements. -We can train a customer's trainer, we can use our vehicles or we can use the customer's vehicles."
He adds Scania prefers to do the training in the customer's vehicles because there is "little point running the training in an artic if the operator runs 6x4 tippers': Scania's courses generally take one day and can accommodate four people. Three hours of the day are spent in the classroom and then the rest of the day is out on the road. Training costs about f300 per day.
Operators can find out more from Scania on 0844 800 9131 or talk to their dealer.
Daf and Iveco
Both 'yew and Dar offer handover training to those buying new trucks In both cases this training is free.
Tony Pain, marketing director at Daf, says: "We do train the trainer when handing over trucks to large fleets or we can offer one-on-one training for the drivers.
-We get the drivers to drive a route and we record the time and fuel consumption and then we show them how to reduce both.
Daf also provides laminated cards that can be put in the cabs and has an educational DVD. Iveco brand and communications director Nigel Emms says the best way to ensure fleets get the best out of their trucks is to offer education when the truck is handed over. •
More Information
For more on fuel economy training, Look out for the CM Academy about Department for Transport-backed training through Freight Best Practice on 19 March.