The Simpsons go green with latest Euro 4 and 5 Volvo trucks

Sheffield-based fresh produce distribution company R W Simpson has decorated one of their latest SCR technology-equipped Euro 4 Volvo FH trucks with a striking series of air-brush murals featuring characters from the famous cartoon series, ‘The Simpsons’.

According to R W Simpson Managing Director David Simpson, the idea of painting a new Volvo with scenes from the lives of the eponymously named ‘First Dysfunctional Family of America’ was initially mooted as an idea by the company’s drivers as a means of raising the profile of the company.

However, the striking livery is only part of the story as the company’s new Euro 4 and Euro 5 Volvo’s, which all operate at 44 tonnes GCW, are already achieving an improvement in fuel economy of around 7.5% compared to the Euro 3 FH’s delivered as part of the same 41 truck order.

Says David, “Within one month of putting the new Volvo’s on the road, we were seeing an improvement from the Euro 4 and Euro 5 trucks compared to the Euro 3 FH’s. The trucks are loaded on both legs of the majority of trips. Adblue consumption is typically 3 to 4% of diesel usage and top ups are not a problem as we have an IBC dispenser at each of our sites.”

Supplied by Volvo Dealer Crossroads Truck and Bus, the Globetrotter XL-cabbed FH-520 featuring the Simpsons murals, is equipped with Prestige trim, polished alumimium wheels, Office Pack, microwave oven and a fridge.

The balance of the order consisted of 15 Euro 4 6x2 FH-460 Globetrotter XL-cabbed tractor units equipped with I-Shift and ‘Prestige’ trim plus a Globetrotter XL-cabbed Euro 5 FH-480 with I-Shift. David Simpson is hoping for government incentives for Euro 5 compliant trucks if, and when, the proposed London Low Emission Zone goes ahead.

The rest of the deal was composed of 24 Euro 3 FH 6x2 tractor units. All 41 chassis are fitted with Volvo’s Transport Information System, Dynafleet Communication Tool which is used by R W Simpson’s Traffic Office (which is open 24/7) to monitor fuel economy and track vehicles to ensure that customer delivery windows are achieved.