Tesco aims to save £5m a year on fuel costs

Tesco believes it can slash its annual CO₂ output by 10,000 tonnes, as well as save approximately £5m a year in fuel costs, after fitting Daimler FleetBoard telematics systems to its entire distribution fleet of 1,800 trucks.

The £2.2m deal follows a six-month trial of 25 Mercedes-Benz Axor tractor units working from a distribution centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Tesco initially hoped for a reduction in fuel consumption of 4% as a result of implementing the vehicle management software and hardware. However, use of the FleetBoard system achieved an average cut of 7.2%.

Tesco transport director Alex Laffey says: "The FleetBoard system has been well received by the drivers at our Lichfield operation, who have embraced it with enthusiasm. I am confident this experience will now be mirrored nationally."

Daimler FleetBoard hardware can be line-fitted at Mercedes-Benz truck factories, as well as retrofitted to all makes of modern commercial vehicles, and while Mercedes forms the bulk of Tesco's fleet the hardware will be fitted to DAF vehicles used in Scotland.