SAVED: Celtic Recycling reap Ashwoods benefits
Innovative in-cab driver behaviour system Lightfoot is helping specialist recycling company Celtic Recycling to lower carbon emissions and save money.
The technology, by Ashwoods Automotive, has been rolled out across Celtic Recycling’s 14-strong fleet of Renault Master vans, in attempts to boost fuel efficiency and driver safety.
It advises the driver on how to operate the van in the most fuel-efficient manner, by using real-time audio and visual aids in the cab.
The system also monitors performance and sends a simple email report to the fleet manager on a weekly or monthly basis.
On average, the technology delivers fuel consumption improvements and CO2 emissions cuts of 15%.
Lightfoot has made such an impression on Celtic Recycling that the company have returned to Ashwoods to purchase four of their Hybrid Transit vans.
Peter O’Rourke, Transport Manager at Celtic Recycling, said: “Celtic Recycling is committed to reducing carbon emissions year on year.
“We looked at a wide range of options for our LCV fleet and decided that Ashwoods offered two technologies that really suited us.
“The Lightfoot system advises the driver on the optimum time to change gear and is making a real impact on fuel economy.
“We are now looking at introducing it to our HGV fleet.”
Ashwoods claim the savings are more sustainable than stand-alone driver training because Lightfoot provides guidance every day – whereas drivers tend to slip back into bad habits after training.
And because the work is done in the cab, the reporting system is simple and requires little of the fleet manager’s time.
The system is entirely self-powered; it stores energy every time the vehicle slows down then transfers it to the wheels via an electric motor.
Mr O’Rourke added: “The hybrid vehicles fit seamlessly into the fleet without requiring driver training or investment in charging infrastructure.
“We can just put them straight to work.
“Our long-term goal is to switch our entire LCV fleet to hybrid.”
Celtic Recycling are the leading specialists in heavy electrical plant live-site dismantling, recovery and recycling.
The company also offer services including hazardous waste management, abnormal load movement, PCB decontamination and oil recycling, SF6 treatment and high pressure cleaning.
They operate nationally with three sites at Barnsley, Bridgend and Newport.
