Fife Council takes on fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz refuse trucks

Fife Council has taken delivery of 11 more Mercedes-Benz refuse collection vehicles with increased fuel economy.

Supplied by Dealer Western Commercial, the 11 new trucks are all 6x2 Econic 2630L models with 220 kW (299 hp) 7.7-litre ‘straight-six’ engines and rear-steer axles for optimum manoeuvrability.

The authority specifies its Econics with the six-speed Allison automatic transmission which is specifically-designed for this type of stop-start application.

 
Last year Fife Council trialled a retrofit software update from Allison Transmission on two of its older vehicles, which produced mpg gains of more than 8%. Revised ECO programme software is now installed as standard on all Allison-equipped Econics, including the 11 new vehicles. Fife’s trucks are also limited to a top speed of 85 km/h, to improve their fuel efficiency still further.
 
Fife Council Waste Operations Service Manager Sandy Anderson said: “Fuel returns can vary dramatically depending on the route a truck is following, but that trial was conducted in a controlled manner and demonstrated a clear improvement.
 
“Increased economy is clearly a very welcome benefit, but the Econic is the best truck on the market for this application in plenty of other respects too. Most of ours are double-shifted for up to seven days a week and they stand up to a long, tough working life extremely well.
 
“The low floor means the driver and operatives can get in and out of their respective sides of the vehicle very easily, using just one step. Meanwhile the excellent visibility from the driver’s seat enhances safety for other road users as well as our crews, and the fact that the cab is air-conditioned makes a tough job that bit more comfortable and less tiring, particularly during summer.”
 
Fife Council operates 40 refuse collection trucks, all but three of which wear three-pointed stars. Most of the new Econics replaced older versions which have now been stood down, although in the face of increased volumes it commissioned an extra vehicle on this occasion. Working from main depots in Glenrothes and Dunfermline, six are dedicated to domestic refuse rounds and collect recyclables, co-mingled food and garden items, and residual waste, while the remaining five are on commercial duties.