Arla is driving down fuel consumption

Arla is driving down fuel consumption with the use of a new comprehensive tracking system fitted to its lorries.

The company is committed to continually looking at ways in which it can support its drivers to improve driving style to ensure that vehicles are driven efficiently which, in turn, will lead to reduced fuel consumption.

Having recently taken delivery of new Scania lorries, fitted with sophisticated telematics which monitor engine performance, fuel consumption and driver behaviour, drivers at Arla’s Stourton dairy have even launched a friendly competition to increase the fleets average mileage.

Rafe Dimmock, driver trainer at Stourton said: “The new tracking system is based on an electrical goods A-F style rating and is made up of seven key elements including harsh breaking, the use of cruise control and over revving the engine.”

The web-based system creates a real time online profile that allows Arla to review the style in which each vehicle is being driven so that drivers can be advised of any areas for improvement as soon as they return to site.

Drivers have been given individual targets to aim for which take account of their daily route and are supported through a national in-house driver training programme.

Rafe added: “We are giving drivers the opportunity to constantly improve the way they drive, already in 2009 we have improved fuel consumption and increased the number of miles per gallon achieved by 0.5.”