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Keeping clean out on the road
Page 14
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Euro Truckwash is determined to create a Europewide pay-as-you go HGV washing network that can be paid for using existing diesel fuel cards.
Words: Brian Weathertey A NETWORK of UK and European truck-washing sites that can be paid for on three major diesel fuel cards has been launched by Euro Truckwash.
Under the scheme operators can not only clean their vehicles while they are out on the road, but also avoid the hassle of waste water disposal and have their wash costs integrated within their existing fuel card bill.
At the moment, the Euro Truckwash network consists of 17 sites, with a further three planned, based around long-established truck-washing points stretching from Inverness in Scotland to Hythe in Kent, as well as Dublin in Ireland. As well as handling normal general haulage vehicles the sites can also provide internal and external cleaning of refrigerated trucks and external cleaning of tankers. "We can also sanitise bulk grain trailers and other types of vehicles involved in agriculture or the foodchain," says Euro Truckwash's Gary Taylor. "Using fuel cards to pay for washing saves a lot of admin time for fleet operators and truckwashes Drivers using Red Diesel, Key Fuels and DKV cards can add the charge of a truckwash to their fuel bill. and Taylor is confident the number of fuel card companies looking to partner Euro Truckwash will grow. "We've been talking to all the major fuel companies, and we have had a very positive response so far," he says. "We know there are more than 15 million fuel cards in circulation and our service aims to allow any fuel card holder to use their nearest truckwash; this reduces offroute travelling which saves driver time and fuel consumed."
No booking needed
Prices for cleaning a truck typically range from £17 for a rigid to £20 for an artic. Taylor adds: "It can take as little as eight minutes. All the washes are mechanically operated gantry units with additional jet-wash 'detailing' from the on-site wash teams." The Norwich-based Euro Truckwash network runs on a drive-up-and-wash principle. "You don't need to book," says Taylor. "It's first-come first-served."
Taylor insists there are a number of benefits to using existing fuel cards to pay for a wash."There are no more petty cash claims, managing accounts with several different truckwash sites or risking fiddles. You're also no longer sorting through invoices from different wash firms either — prices for each of our sites are displayed on our website."
According to Taylor: "Fleet operators can register their vehicles and trailers and set washes to weekly, fortnightly or monthly. If a driver tries to wash more frequently, you can set an override for the driver or transport manager to authorise an additional wash. The transport office can view all transactions as they happen, download reports and enjoy complete traceability — and that's never been done before. We're now offering instant control through the internet, allowing the transport manager to correctly manage his wash budget over more of his fleet."
Bigger and better
Being able to consolidate washing bills into one account is a key selling point of the network. "One European fleet operator we spoke to admitted to dealing with 300 different truckwash operators across Europe. Imagine having to deal with payments and any disputes with 300 suppliers!"
Another attraction, particularly for smaller operators with limited depot facilities, is that Euro Truckwash can help remove the burden of waste water disposal and environmental compliance. Taylor reckons this will become a key selling point. "All our sites are fully licensed with the Environment Agency and we take care of all the waste water disposal properly.
Euro Truckwash already claims to offer the largest capacity network in the UK, with more gantry washes than any other network, and has plans to grow. "We plan to expand to 2,000 sites across the UK and Europe," says Taylor. "Our sites will be based around existing truckwashes. We're welcoming new sites every day, but we won't restrict them for being too close.•