Prohire supports Truline in transitioning its 500-strong fleet to alternative fuels

5 Sep | 3 min read

Case Study

Truline is a specialist B2B parcel carrier offering managed supply chain solutions for UK businesses. Prohire has worked with Truline since 2008 and now manages three-quarters of the company’s 500-strong fleet. This includes 13 new fuel-efficient DAF New Generation XF’s which are each delivering 25% savings and reduction in CO2.

Prohire’s alternative fuels division, Progreen is supporting Truline in the ongoing transition of its fleet to meet the Net Zero deadline. This includes recommending and supplying the latest alternative fuel technologies combined with the correct infrastructure to power those vehicles, plus associated driver training.

Truline is the transport and delivery logistics part of the Banner and Vow businesses, all of which are part of the EVO Group of companies.

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Challenges

Truline, which delivers over a million parcels UK-wide every month, is in the process of transitioning its 500-strong fleet to high-performing, reliable, zero-emission alternative fuels.

The company operates a wide range of asset classes including 3.5 tonne and 7.5 tonne vans, 16 tonne and 18 tonne trucks and 44 tonne tractor units, the majority of which are latest Euro 6 specification. These vehicles continue to be as efficient as possible whilst the company identifies the right high-performing, reliable, zero-emission alternative fuel for each vehicle class.

The infrastructure to support the vehicles is equally important, and Truline operates from 22 locations across the UK, with further expansion planned.

Driver training is also essential to avoid range anxiety when switching to an alternative fuel.

Image of tractor unit

Solution

Prohire and Progreen are working in partnership with Truline on the long-term planning of its fleet configuration in the run up to 2030. Truline is committed to cutting its carbon emissions to help the UK reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and plans to cease procuring new diesel vehicles by 2030.

Truline’s strategy to achieve this aim is two-fold. The most fuel-efficient diesel vehicles will be secured through Prohire whilst the transition takes place, and whilst suitable vehicles in all asset classes are developed by manufacturers. At the same time, Truline will work with Progreen on a rolling programme to replace existing diesel vehicles in asset classes where high-performing EVs are already available.

Prohire has provided Truline with 13 fuel-efficient DAF New Generation XF’s, each delivering 25% savings and reduction in CO2 emissions. The vehicles are fitted with the latest safety equipment and DBS camera systems to reduce Truline’s road risk and increase fleet uptime. An additional 36 new, fuel-efficient, 7.5 tonne, 12 tonne and 18 tonne diesel vehicles are on order.

Progreen has supplied a large number of EVs for Truline, both Maxus EDeliver9 panel vans with 72KW batteries and Ford e-transit, 425 L3 H2s with 68KW batteries. These have been supplied on full contract hire with maintenance and accident management.

Progreen provides Truline with lease flexibility to enable it to update its fleet as new technologies become available, replacing diesel with whichever alternative fuel is right for its requirements. Prohire supports Truline in trialling new generation vehicles as they become available. .

Truline has been using Geotab telematics, supplied by Prohire, to capture real-time data on the
vehicles’ performance as well as driver behaviour, ensuring the most efficient and cost-effective
use possible.

Prohire and Progreen are also supporting Truline with the provision of chargers for their EVs, including surveying existing and new sites to get the right number of chargers installed.

Through its training academy, Procademy, Prohire have also provided additional training which has helped drivers to overcome range anxiety. Truline has seen a welcome by-product of the training which is calmer drivers as hard acceleration, and other stressful behaviours are avoided.

 

 

line up of tractor units

Results

  • Significant number of EVs on order
  • Reduced CO2 emissions by a quarter with 44 tonne DAF XFs
  • Telematics have positively influenced driver behaviour
  • Progreen and Truline are working together on long-term plan to hit Net Zero deadline

Prohire is a hugely trusted partner for Truline and we work together to understand what are the benefits of alternative fuels for both companies. Progreen keep us ahead of the curve when it comes to new product and making sure we secure the right vehicles for us, in line with our Net Zero and sustainability strategy.

The industry has faced, and is facing, many challenges but Prohire continues to really make a difference and push us forwards. They are there for us in terms of longevity and range of vehicles. We have huge confidence in both Prohire and Progreen and everything they’ve said they’ll deliver on has been delivered.

We trust them and I would 100% recommend Prohire.

Steve Turner, Truline’s Head of Fleeet