Kevin Swallow
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The problem most van chassis cabs have is that they feel unwieldy when uprated to 7 tonnes. Vans muscling in on truck markets tend to get short shrift from operators, who feel investment is compromised by ordering less desirable rolling stock, and longevity reduced by running a vehicle that requires an annual MoT without six-weekly inspections. That said, EcoDaily 70C17 is a sound vehicle. The engine is strong enough for the weight, and it’s comfortable to drive. But would you buy one instead of a 7.5-tonner? Comparing EcoDaily at 7 tonnes with Eurocargo at 7.5 tonnes is like comparing spinach to satsumas. But in terms of productivity, nothing separates them. What EcoDaily gains in weight, it loses in mpg and speed, as it lacks the torque of the Eurocargo for the ups and downs of the A-road section. The Eurocargo costs £4,900 more, and holds sway by approximately £1,500 after three and five years. At Euro-5, the case isn’t so clear cut, but at Euro-6 that payload is only likely to widen between the two weight categories. At the moment, specifying EcoDaily over a 7.5-tonner would be a shrewd, long-term strategic move.