Hydrogen-maker performs well in fuel-saving trial

Dodd's Group managing director Jim Dodd believes a new piece of technology has helped him cut his fuel costs - by up to £300 a month per truck in trials. He says he has been impressed with the Save-Fuel hydrogen generator - created by Kent-based Oil-Drum, in partnership with Kent University.

A total of 50 generators have already been fitted to vehicles operated by companies including Dodd's, GSE Haulage and Laser Transport. Oil-Drum says a further 400 units are on order. The globally-patented device generates hydrogen on demand and mixes it with air and diesel or petrol during the combustion process to improve its efficiency and reduce emissions.

The devices can be rented for £99 a month. Dodd says his company has used the technology for about a year. "It's early days, but it is seeming to work. One of the good things about them is that they can be transferred between vehicles. We have made a £300 per month saving on one vehicle.

"It's probably fair to say that the device could mean a total saving of between 5% and 10% in fuel costs."

Darryl Watts, managing director at Oil-Drum, adds: "Not only does the Save-Fuel technology make a real difference to an industry under pressure, it also helps reduce its impact on the environment by reducing particulate emissions and enhancing the performance of a vehicle's engine."