New trailer unit could reduce carbon emissions

Date: 4/3/2010

A UK logistics company has found a way to save 2.9 million kilogrammes of C02 emissions per year, according to Gordon Scott, Wincanton's managing director.


"We supplied detailed case studies of eight of our major contracts to emphasise the opportunities for productivity and environmental savings," said Mr Scott.


His comments emerge as Wincanton has designed a semi-trailer that provides additional space for at least four extra pallets per load. This would lead to a ten per cent reduction in road miles and carbon emissions.


If the new design is adopted as an industry standard, the company claims that this would reduce the number of heavy goods journeys on Britain's roads by ten per cent.


The new design features a single, remote steerable axle which increases load length by 14 per cent while at the same time staying within the UK government's 44-tonne weight limit.


Mr Scott goes on to add that from their study of only eight of their major customers, Wincanton estimates that 48,000 journeys could benefit from the use of the new trailers.