First Iveco’s join Watson Petroleum fleet

Brinkworth, Wiltshire-based Watson Petroleum has taken delivery of its very first Iveco Stralis, which is operating out of its depot in Louth, Lincolnshire.

Supplied by Iveco distributor Bristol Street Commercials, the Stralis AD260S31YPS represents the first Iveco to join the company’s 170-strong fleet, and is soon to be joined by one 18 and one 26 tonne Eurocargo.

Each of the new vehicles are fitted with bodies built by Tasca Tankers, with the Stralis benefiting from a 20,000 litre tank, split into four separate compartments. It also has a rear-steering axle with lift capability, to enable deliveries to be made to areas with restricted access.

The vehicles will be used to deliver a range of products to the domestic, industrial and agricultural markets.

Stuart Morgan, Transport Manager at Watson Petroleum, explains: "We operate a wide range of different vehicles across the fleet, and became very interested in the Iveco range following a visit from Bristol Street Commercials.

"With both models compliant to current Petroleum Regulations, they represent the ideal choice for our fleet, in terms of whole life costs, proven reliability records and spacious and comfortable cabs, which is essential in terms of driver recruitment and retention," he adds.

The Stralis will operate between five and six days a week, making up to 15 separate deliveries each day, within a 40 mile radius of its base on Louth’s Fairfield Industrial Estate. It is expected to remain on the fleet for at least 10 years.

The modifications necessary to ensure each of the new Iveco’s being supplied to Watson Petroleum are fully ADR approved were carried out by the Special Vehicle Operation (SVO) division of North East Truck & Van. NETV is Iveco’s only independent SVO centre in the UK, allowing it to carry out special vehicle modifications to Iveco vehicles on behalf of its dealer network.

The Stralis AD is powered by a 7.8 litre Cursor 8 engine which is capable of producing up to 310 hp between 1,950 and 2,400 rev/min and a maximum torque of 1,115 Nm from 1,000 to 1,950 rev/min, driven through a EuroTronic gearbox.