The vehicle’s new aerodynamic box body design and streamlined Thermo King cab-mounted fridge unit aims to reduce fuel consumption by up to 5%.
Based on a Mercedes Sprinter 3.5 tonne GVW chassis, the vehicle will be run for six months alongside a regular box van on identical routes in the Midlands region where its fuel consumption will be closely monitored through its on board telematics system.
The body is made of a standard insulated panel design with the fridge capable of transporting both chilled and frozen goods up to -20 °C. Another modification being trialled is the box body’s rear step and door configuration, designed to improve driver safety when unloading the van.
Hitachi Capital will have supplied over 50 of Ginsters’ vans on a contract hire basis by the end of 2013 on a four year deal. They also manage Ginsters’ fleet maintenance through the Mercedes network.
‘Our fleet of box vans carries out the very high profile role of delivering our bakery products into thousands of stores across the UK on a daily basis and we are looking forward to seeing the results of the trial period. Once we have the results we will then decide on whether to extend the trial,’ said Andrew Gibbons, Ginsters’ fleet continuous improvements manager.