Volvos bring Prompt fuel boost for Bristol haulier

Prompt Transport has taken delivery of four new Volvo FH with I-Save Globetrotter 6×2 tractor units as part of a major upgrade that will see it switch its entire articulated fleet to Volvo.

The Bristol-based general haulier reckons the transition is already proving beneficial, citing fuel savings of around 1.5mpg in comparison to the trucks they’ve replaced.

“We had previously run with one manufacturer for more than two decades,” said Lee Parker, director at Prompt Transport. “However, we were having one or two issues so at the start of 2022 we decided to trial demonstrators from three other marques – and Volvo came out as the clear winner.

“With these four latest arrivals, we are up to nine FHs and are planning to replace the remaining 12 tractor units we operate over the course of the next few years. The drivers absolutely love them and we are very happy with how the move has gone so far.”

All of Prompt Transport’s new FHs have been designed for driver comfort, benefitting from a huge specification. This includes Volvo’s top-tier Drive++ package[1], which features extras such as an electrically operated interior sun visor, extended leather upholstery and fully electronic air-conditioning with an air quality sensor and carbon filter.

The addition of twin armrests on both the driver and passenger seats, together with the Media package with navigation, further boosts in-cab comfort.

Safety is taken care of with Volvo’s Visibility+ pack, adding distinctive V-shaped LED headlights, which automatically adapt to ambient light conditions, rain sensing windscreen wipers and electrically heated rear view mirrors.

“We’ve really gone to town with the new trucks. Inside they have the microwave, fridge freezer, basically everything we can add in there to make our drivers’ job that little bit easier,” says Parker. “Then we’ve finished off the exterior with Kelsa spotlights, alloy wheels and super single tyres. They really are stunning looking trucks.”

Supplied by Truck and Bus Wales and West, the four new FH with I-Save trucks[2] are fitted with Volvo’s ultra-efficient D13TC Euro 6 Step E engine, delivering 460hp and a peak torque of 2600Nm, with turbo compounding and matching software. This allows drivers to maintain lower revs and a higher gear for a longer time, resulting in a more fuel-efficient journey.

Also included in the I-Save package is Volvo’s predictive cruise control, I-See, which analyses and adapts to gradients in the road ahead; and I-Cruise with I-Roll, which adjusts speed to further improve fuel use.

Roof and cab side air deflectors bring more fuel gains, as well as a 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox.

“The turbo compound engine has helped us unlock some great fuel savings – we’re around a mile and half to the gallon better off versus the trucks we were running previously,” adds Parker. “That’s a real boost for the business, both economically and in terms of reducing our carbon footprint.”

References

  1. ^ Volvo’s top-tier Drive++ package (www.volvotrucks.co.uk)
  2. ^ FH with I-Save trucks (www.truckanddriver.co.uk)

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