The owner-driver of Hark Logistics from KwaZulu-Natal, Reggie Naidoo, could become the world’s most fuel efficient driver.
A total of 23 drivers from almost the same number of countries will be taking part in the final of Volvo Trucks ‘global Drivers’ Fuel Challenge. In September they will be competing to find out who can drive most fuel-efficiently. The competition is the only one of its kind which is open to all drivers, regardless of the make of truck they drive. A normal-sized haulage business spends about a third of its operating cost on fuel. By driving efficiently, truck drivers can reduce fuel consumption and make a major difference in both environmental and financial terms. Vesna Jovic, project manager for the Drivers’ Fuel Challenge at Volvo Trucks, says, “In the Drivers’ Fuel Challenge we want to highlight the fact that the driver can play a decisive role by adopting a more fuel-efficient driving style. We also know that this is technical skill which all drivers can learn and which will save haulage companies a lot of money in the long term,”During the course of several tough qualifying rounds, which took place all over the world during June, the 23 finalists who will be participating in the world championship title competition in Gothenburg on 19 September were chosen.
Philip Phasha, project manager for the Drivers’ Fuel Challenge 2014 in South Africa, states, “We are very confident in Naidoo’s abilities to compete with the best in the world. All of us at Volvo Trucks Southern Africa wish him all the best, and we are certain that he will fly our country’s flag high during the competition.” During the competition the drivers are assessed on the basis of four different criteria, all of which influence fuel consumption. These include driving and braking, the use of the engine and gearbox and the ability to meet deadlines and to follow traffic rules. All the drivers will be competing in new Volvo FH trucks with I-Shift. Volvo Trucks has organized the competition since 2009.The finalists will be announced on Driver’s Fuel Challenge’s website www.driversfuelchallenge.com during September.
