Improved Sustainability of Fernwood's HGV Fleet
The technology for battery powered articulated 44 tonne bulk tipper vehicles is not yet advanced enough to provide a cost effective, reliable, vehicle with sufficient daily range, compared to the existing diesel alternative. As a result, Fernwood has taken the decision to upgrade its existing diesel bulk tipper fleet with the most efficient environmentally friendly diesel engines available on the market today.
Fernwood Transport have recently taken delivery of twelve new Renault tractor units, and eight Wilcox trailers.
Prior to ordering the vehicles and trailers, Fernwood assessed the type and design of both tractor unit and trailer in order to ensure their specification was as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. This was not an easy task for a vehicle that is unavoidably shaped like a box.
Renault Trucks proposed their most efficient environmentally friendly engine available on the market today, Euro 6 with Ad-blue technology. We also reviewed the design and layout of the tractor unit and removed or re-configured anything that was not required for bulk tipping operations. Whilst this may reduce the re-sale value of the vehicle at the end of its life with Fernwood, the improved sustainability and performance far outweighed the reduced second-hand value. Fernwood's new tractor units produce lower emissions and have a lighter chassis allowing increased payload. This optimises productivity through the life of the vehicle by reducing the number of vehicle journeys required in order to deliver a specific tonnage.
Fernwood's tipping trailers were reviewed in the same manner in conjunction with our trailer supplier, Wilcox.:-
Our new trailers are :-
- More aerodynamic in order to improve MPG.
- Have a modified internal body shape to improve discharge and flow of product when tipping.
- Have a lighter chassis to improve payload therefore reducing the number of vehicle journeys to deliver a specific tonnage volume.
- Have an optimised fifth wheel position in order to minimise air drag between tractor unit and trailer resulting in improved MPG.
The purchase price of our vehicles and trailers has increased due to the use of lighter weight materials, however, as a long-term supplier of bulk tipper services, we feel the increased price is justified by the improved level sustainability achieved.
Fernwood have further tractor units and trailers on order to ensure we continue to deliver the improved sustainability upgrade we have committed to for our fleet.
