Scania Challenges TSL to Fuel Efficiency Duel

Scania, one of the biggest truck and bus manufacturers in the world, and German transport company TSL announced today that they will be engaging in a battle the likes of which the automotive industry has never seen before. Driven by the need to show that, if needed, trucks can achieve 25l/100 km in normal driving, this duel will be fought on the streets of Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands and shown online at the following link. (Usually, the fuel consumption levels of trucks, when the drivers give it their best, are of around 32l/100 km).

The challenge consists of two Scania R 480 two-axle tractors with Euro 6 engines, one for each of the parties involved in the challenge, departing Scania's plant in Sodertalje, Sweden, and traveling to the plant in Zwolle, the Netherlands. To be driven non-stop by drivers who will take turns at the wheel, the trucks will try and reach the aforementioned consumption figure.

The entire trip will be monitored through Scania's fleet management telematics solution, which uses data to help the driver improve his fuel efficiency.

“We run this challenge because we want to show the industry and the people concerned that it is possible to reach 25 litres/100 km in normal driving. All it takes is skilled drivers driving their vehicles with care,” said Anders Gustavsson, MD of Scania Transport Laboratory.

“The majority of hauliers are often quite happy to reach a level around 31–32 litres/100 km. There’s absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be able to do better.”