Successful trial for eSprinter Pharma

Thermo King is working with Mercedes-Benz AG to create a fully electric, refrigerated Mercedes-Benz eSprinter van prototype for local zero-emission last mile urban delivery of pharmaceuticals and medicines.

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Pharma prototype features an all-electric E-200 refrigeration unit and new lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery from Thermo King. Combined, the E-200 and the Li-ion battery deliver independent and constant capacity ensuring an unbroken cold chain even while the driver stops for delivery or break. This is important for maintaining controlled and uncompromised temperature in the load compartment – a critical element to ensure the quality, integrity and efficacy of transported pharmaceuticals and medicines.

“The collaboration between Thermo King and Mercedes-Benz AG to develop an all-electric pharma delivery vehicle will enable our customers to benefit from the best combination of distribution and refrigeration technologies,” said Eneko Fernandez, product management leader at Thermo King.

“Electrification of transport industry is a trend that addresses the noise and emission pollution in cities and urban areas. At Thermo King, we want to challenge what is possible in our industry. Working together with MercedesBenz Vans on the eSprinter Pharma, we are developing a local zero-emission refrigerated transportation that will help improve the quality of life, in a sustainable way.”

The prototype van has undergone first rounds of successful testing. Over a period of four weeks, the vehicle drove more than 2000km maintaining the temperature of the load compartment between 15 and 25 degrees C, and successfully delivering pharmaceuticals in and around the city.

Lucion runs with Lightfoot across van fleet

Lucion Services, environmental risk management specialists based in Gateshead, is to roll out Lightfoot’s in-vehicle driver efficiency technology and rewards platform to its fleet of 197 vans.

The decision follows successful trials which led to uplifts in mpg by more than 10%, reductions in CO2 emissions by 5.6%, falls in idling time by 29% and the eradication of instances of dangerous driving. Lightfoot claims that nearly 1000 tonnes of CO2 will be prevented from entering the earth’s atmosphere over a five year period.

Lucion Services, which has 12 bases throughout the UK, was keen to find a fleet management solution that would not only improve the safety of its drivers but which would also reduce its carbon footprint and fuel costs, its second highest overhead.

Lightfoot says it delivered on all fronts while also reducing instances of harsh acceleration, harsh braking and harsh cornering thanks to its pocket-sized dashboard display device, which uses live engine data to provide drivers with real-time visual and audible feedback.

This guides drivers to the ‘sweet spot of the engine’, improving both fuel economy and safety on the roads. The audible end of journey score from the device also enables drivers to strive towards achieving Lightfoot’s Elite Driver status score of 85 or more, which unlocks access to weekly prize draws.

Lightfoot’s dashboard display gives drivers feedback

Safety strategy for a post-Covid world

Fleet managers should create a cost-effective fleet road safety strategy that adds value in a post-Covid world. That’s the advice from Venson Automotive Solutions following the recent publication of a whitepaper – “Road Safety Pays Dividends” – from the Fleet Industry Advisory Group (FIAG).

It is estimated that up to one third of all road traffic accidents involve someone who was at work at the time and may account for as many as 20 deaths and 250 serious injuries every week in the UK.

For organisations of any size, managing risk to ensure that employees are as safe as possible when travelling on work-related business needs to be a priority, says Venson.

As the country slowly moves out of lockdown and more business traffic takes to the roads, “fleets may need to not only reassess their risk levels but also re-engage with staff on the part they play in keeping work-related road accidents to a minimum”.

Trading for over 30 years, we are one of the UK’s pioneers for commercial vehicle security. We offer a mobile fitting service from single man-in-avan to fleet operators.

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