Top weight economy
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ERF CHAIRMAN and managing director Peter Foden told shareholders that the Government must increase maximum weights for heavy vehicles to help save fuel and cut costs.
He said that we were faced with an energy crisis that could develop into one of the most serious threats to our civilisation this century.
"I earnestly hope that the Government will adopt the EEC recommendations for increased vehicle weights in this country," he said. "Such vehicles carrying maximum payloads would make a significant reduction in fuel consumption simply because there would be fewer vehicles carrying greater loads."
Mr Foden told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting on Wednesday that there was no real alternative to road transport for the foreseeable future and he said that resources should be concentrated on developing alternative fuel sources.
He said that ERF had increased its turnover by 21 per cent to £68,194,000 but profits at £3,217,000 were only marginally ahead of the £3.1.m 1978 figure. This was because the company had been adversely affected by the drivers' strike earlier this year, he said.