Allison Transmission – a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions and the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial and defence vehicles

Allison Transmission –aleading designer andmanufacturerofconventionalandelectrifiedvehiclepropulsionsolutionsandthelargest global manufacturerofmedium- and heavy-dutyfullyautomatictransmissions for commercialanddefencevehicles –and leading UK waste management company, Biffa, have revealedan average fuel saving of2.4%, following the specification of different refusevehicle axle ratio settings.

In 2022, Biffa switched its orders of Mercedes-Benz Econic refuse collection trucks with 270-, 300- and 350-horsepower engines from the standard 6.84:1 axle ratio to a shallower 6.0:1 ratio, also offered as a factory-fit by Mercedes-Benz. This followed a simulation exercise by Allison Transmission using its industry-leading iSCAAN software programme, whichidentified a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 3%, in addition to lower cab noise. Based on this advice, Biffa madethe decision to order all replacements of this vehicle type with the new 6.0:1 ratio.

The positive fuel saving effect has now been validated on 100Mercedes-Benz Econicsover700,000milesofreal-world operation in trade and domestic refuse collection in the UK. The achievement of 2.4% fuel saving equated to a cost saving of 2p per mile and a total of £14,000 for the miles travelled in the study.

“Biffa’s robust data collection and analysis over the past couple of years has cemented the findings of our initial research: that it is possible for commercial vehicle fleets to cut their fuel consumption by requesting different axle ratios to those routinely offered on new vehicles,”said Nathan Wilson,Account & Area Sales Manager UK & Republicof Irelandat Allison Transmission. 

“Historically, a deeper axle ratio setting has been the default selected by OEMs to provide the best gradeability for a 30 percent and above incline, anextreme that is rarely encountered on UK roads. A shallower axle ratio can be selected to provide better fuel economy without negatively affecting the vehicle’s launch gradeability or productivity, thanks to Allison’s Continuous Power TechnologyTM, which nearly doubles engine torque at launch and delivers power to the wheels without interruption when shifting,” concluded Nathan Wilson.

“This is one of many successes resulting from our consultative relationship with Allison Transmissionto optimise our vehicles’ drivetrains, with the aim of reducing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and total cost of ownership,” saidDarren Judd, Biffa’s Head of Fleet Development. “While 2p per mile saving does not sound like much, over many vehicles and years it all adds up to be a significant amount.”