Truck drivers can make a big difference to fuel consumption and save money for their company.

So during the international Volvo Trucks Driver’s Fuel Challenge the drivers were 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, the ability to meet deadlines and to follow traffic rules.

Being the first South African driver competing in this international event, Reggie Naidoo did the country proud. The Kwa-Zulu Natal owner driver battled it out competing in a left hand drive truck with 23 drivers and although he did not win gained invaluable experience and skill.

The competition, which has been organised by Volvo Trucks since 2009, is the only one of its kind which is open to all drivers, regardless of the make of truck they operate. It is aimed at finding the truck driver who can drive the most fuel-efficiently. During the finals, all the drivers competed in new Volvo FH trucks with I-Shift.

Philip Pasha project manager for the Drivers’ Fuel Challenge 2014 in South Africa, who accompanied Naidoo to Sweden, says, “The Drivers’ Fuel Challenge certainly highlights and encourages truck drivers to adopt a more fuel-efficient way of driving.”

Andrew Low, driver development manager at Volvo Trucks and responsible for The Drivers’ Fuel Challenge competition track stated, “All the 23 finalists possessed great skill. It just showed that you have to be able to adapt to traffic and know how to use the enormous power of a fully loaded truck in motion. A knowledgeable driver knows how he or she should use the truck’s weight advantageously.”

Lars Mårtensson, environmental director at Volvo Trucks, adds, “Our figures show that good drivers can reduce fuel consumption by up to ten percent. There is, in other words, a great incentive to teach drivers to drive more fuel-efficiently.”

“To get as many people as possible to drive fuel-efficiently is one of the biggest challenges in our industry right now. With The Drivers’ Fuel Challenge and our various services in this area, we want to raise awareness about fuel-efficient driving and its benefits. It is simply something that is favourable for both the environment and transport companies.”