Mercedes-Benz is to make its ECO-Start anti-idling device standard across its 7.5-tonne truck range in the near future. The fuel-saving product, which was formerly known as Motor Stop Start (MSS), automatically switches off the truck's engine whenever it is on stop. It has been available on manual transmission Ategos for a couple of years now, but take-up has been minimal.
Mercedes-Benz truck sales engineering manager Nick Blake explains that ECO-Start's poor take-up has been "frustrating".
He adds: "We have decided to take matters into our own hands. The best way to get the product into the marketplace is to make it free." Blake explains that it is difficult to estimate the exact fuel economy benefits operators will get from the system, as it depends on the type of use. Clearly, trucks that operate in congested city streets will achieve significantly better results than those used for trunking.
When MT tested an MSS-equipped Sprinter van in the London morning rush-hour in 2006, it achieved an improvement of 10%. Other independent tests revealed even greater savings. "Even if there's only a 5% reduction in fuel consumption, it's going to be wel-comed by our customers," says Blake.
ECO-Start will be officially relaunched in the Sprinter van at this year's CV Show. Although initially only available with manual gearbox vans, an automatic version is in development. This will open up the option to the numerous supermarkets that have adopted the Sprinter as
their home-delivery vehicle of choice.
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