Mick George has taken delivery of the first of a fleet of Mercedes-Benz Econics fitted with a combination of skip-loader and tipper bodies.
The trucks are an example of the kind of vehicles that are expected to score highly in the new Direct Vision Standard, which was announced last week by London mayor Sadiq Khan.
The Econics will work in Cambridge which, like London, has a large number of cyclists.
Three of five 18-tonne Hyva skip-loader bodied Econics have been delivered, with one of five Econic tippers now on fleet, along with two Arocs. The remainder will be in service by the end of this month.
Mick George transport manager Joe Gossage said that safety was a priority for the firm.
“The safety of our staff, communities, clients, contractors and the people we work alongside is of utmost importance to us. The introduction of these Econic chassis further underlines our determination to minimise the risk to vulnerable road users.
“The enhanced field of vision that this vehicle offers will be an advantage to our drivers when navigating through cities or in complex situations,” he added.
In the wake of the Direct Vision Standard, director for national sales at Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Trucks Vincente Connolly said the manufacturer expected to see more enquiries about the types of vehicles an operator will be running on particular contracts.
TfL has already said it will start specifying low-entry cabs on its tenders.
“It won’t be long until the main questions being asked [by hauliers’ clients] is not just what your carbon footprint looks like and what are your general emissions controls and polices, but they’ll also ask ‘what’s your policy on line of sight and direct vision?’” he said.
