Reduction of Carbon Emissions Project – DATATRACK FUEL SYSTEMS/ COMMERCIAL GROUP LTD

In 2007, Commercial Group Ltd based at Cheltenham, introduced a three year plan for a major reduction carbon emissions and fuel costs. 85% of the company’s CO2 production was accounted for by their fleet of vehicles, so these were naturally the first to receive attention. A project group was set up, led by Logistics Manager Rob Paddock, to carry out a fleet review and implement a plan for the introduction of new bio-diesel and fuel management technology. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction of CO2 emissions - over 50% by February 2009.

The use of bio diesel systems has played a large part in this. While many other companies have begun using biodiesel, based on fixed bio/diesel blends, usually B10 or B20 (10 or 20% bio), Commercial Ltd has chosen the new DATATRACK Bio Mixing Pump to optimize the bio mix for EACH VEHICLE. In addition, each pump has an integrated DATATRACK fuel management system to further enhance the efficiency of the dispensing and monitoring of fuel.
This pump will dispense any blend of bio/diesel depending on the individual requirements of the vehicle. By using two independent hydraulic systems, different fuels are pumped through each of these into an electronically controlled blender. Vehicles can then be fuelled with the most suitable mix, therefore maximising the potential carbon saving for each vehicle.

Integrated into the head of this pump is a Datatrack FuelSafe Fuel Controller, a fully automated system using fuel key and driver pin codes to dispense and blend bio diesel automatically. Data from the fuel controller is then sent to the Fuel Management software via a data cable, GSM or other method. The software provides Commercial Group Ltd with a choice of fuel reports featuring blend %, litres, mileage, cost and MPG for every vehicle in the fleet.
In addition, by demanding high audit ability, Commercial also ensured that the biodiesel is locally produced from known sources. The fuel is derived from UK sourced waste vegetable oil, containing no palm or soya grown on ex-rainforest, which means that the company has avoided the bad publicity that bio-fuels from unsustainable sources brings. This use of sustainable biodiesel has led to the company being a case study for Bio-NETT, an EU bio-fuels project promoting best practice.
Commercial has been highly proactive towards the benefits of reducing fleet emissions, especially through working with the Energy Saving Trust. As well as a case study for Business Link and appearances in the Observer and on BBC World, Commercial hosted a day at Cheltenham Racecourse, assisted by the EST, which was attended by over 200 delegates to discuss actions to reduce environmental emissions.
This new technology has received plenty of interest from Local Authorities and others looking to make a positive contribution to CO2 and cost reductions.
DATATRACK in conjunction with COMMERCIAL GROUP will be happy to arrange visits for potential customers, to show the system in action, and how it contributes to CO2 reductions and improved cost management.

Manufacturers Note:
DataTrack are UK manufacturers of fuel management systems, sold world wide. They also supply a wide range of fuel pumps, tank gauges and other fuelling equipment. This will often be as part of a new project or as an upgrade to an existing fuelling facility. The main purpose of fuel management is to achieve cost efficiencies, by installing a fuel pump controller which send fuelling data to the DATATRACK PC software giving visibility of all fuelling activity in the form of on-screen and printable reports.
DataTrack technology is being successfully applied to a diverse range of applications. In addition to the mainstream market of Road Transport and Local Authority fleets, these systems are also used for fuelling light aircraft, mobile cranes, helicopters, boats, and intercity trains.
If you would like more information on the Bio Diesel Mixer Pump or any other DATATRACK fuel related products, please contact Spencer Townsley or Richard Stubbs on 0117 929 1090, email salesdesk@fuelcontrol.co.uk