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Free fuel help could save firm /600,000
Page 10
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I by tillY Sheppard
the first haulier to receive free Idvice from a new government lampaign to promote fuel effiiency estimates the potential iavings could total £600,000 year.
Fergusons Transport was Oven an introductory seminar it its headquarters in Blyth, Jorthumberland, by the Fuel iconomy Advisors (FEA) pro?.ct. This is run by transport esearch company TRL using Jel efficiency experts from the lniversity of Huddersfield.
Ken Rix, Fergusons' special rojects general manager, says: We have now set ourselves a target of 5% [reduction in fuel costs) in year one with 10% in year two. Our fuel bill is now £6m so this would make an enormous difference to our profits."
Measures so far adopted by the company include educating drivers about the need for fuel economy and setting up a league table showing who is achieving the best miles per gallon figures at each of its seven depots.
The company, which has a fleet of 200 trucks, is now due to apply for further seminars from FEA covering specialist subjects such as how aerodynamics affects fuel economy.
TRL is one of three contrac
tors appointed by the Department for Transport to promote fuel economy.
Michael Coyle of the University of Huddersfield says: "The government wants as many operators as possible to look at the issues surrounding fuel efficiency. When you consider that there is 20% difference between the best and the average operator in terms of fuel efficiency, there is obviously a lot of work to do."
He adds that FEA visits and its consultancy both come free of charge. Details of the scheme are available on www.trIco.ukffea.