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Europe’s leading transport company, Norbert Dentressangle, takes delivery of the very first EURO VI truck

On 7 February 2012, one of Europe’s leading transport and logistics companies, Norbert Dentressangle, took delivery of the very first road tractor to meet the Euro VI standards. This new Mercedes-Benz truck has a Blue Tec 6 engine, which reduces its particle emissions by 50% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 77%. At the forefront of the race to minimise the environmental impact caused by trucks, Norbert Dentressangle has become the first transport company to test a EURO VI vehicle - two years before the standards come into force.

On Tuesday 7 February, Hervé Montjotin, MD and head of the Transport Division, was joined at the Sérézin du Rhône site by Martial Valente, purchasing director for the Transport Division, in order to be handed the keys to the new Mercedes-Benz truck, which is the first to be equipped for the Euro VI standards.

The Euro VI standards will be compulsory for all new heavy goods vehicles from 1 January 2014. As 90% of its fleet meets the Euro IV and Euro V standards, Norbert Dentressangle has consolidated its lead by purchasing its first Euro VI vehicle, two years before the European regulations come into effect

Spotlight on the Euro VI standards

The Euro VI standards mark a new level in minimising pollution levels, , in comparison to the current Euro V standards.

The challenge posed by these new standards includes reducing pollutant emissions (66% less particle and 77% less nitrogen emissions). The new version of the BlueTec 6 engine, which was specially designed for Norbert Dentressangle by truck manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, will fulfil these European requirements and therefore meet the anti-pollution Euro VI standards, which will apply from 1 January 2014 for new vehicles.

The Norbert Dentressangle commitment

Norbert Dentressangle has provided further evidence of its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its transport activitiess road transport is, and will remain for the foreseeable future, the most efficient method of transporting goods, in order to reduce its environmental footprint , we first need to reduce the environmental effects of using trucks.

Norbert Dentressangle’s commitment dates back to 2005, when it signed a partnership agreement with Ademe, which aimed to “identify all efficient resources, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by its transport and logistics activities, which will also reduce its dependence on crude oil”.

Because of its policy of regularly updating its vehicles, Norbert Dentressangle already owns Europe’s cleanest fleet and 90% of its trucks meet the Euro IV and V standards.

In order to reduce CO₂emissions, we have to reduce fuel consumption, which Norbert Dentressangle has already achieved in 3 different ways:

By reducing the gross consumption of its vehicles - By means of several initiatives involving its technical partners, which aim to improve aerodynamics, optimise engine efficiency, reduce rolling resistance and fit vehicles with fuel saving devices (start & go).

By reducing fuel consumption in relation to the quantity of goods transported. A wide range of initiatives and investments help us provide customers with technical solutions, which enable them to optimise vehicle capacity, whether they use double-deck trailers, composite tankers or aluminium semi-trailers.

Norbert Dentressangle works closely with its customers to optimise their transport flows and measures the CO₂ emissions, using its CO₂emissions calculator, which has been awarded BV Certification.

By testing alternative technologies, in order to avoid the 100% use of diesel engines. Norbert Dentressangle already owns 3 diesel-electric hybrid vehicles, two 19-tonne Renault trucks and one 12-tonne Mercedes truck.

Responsible drivers bring about changes

In having the latest trucks at their disposal, it is the Norbert Dentressangle drivers that are the key to success, and ensure that these new technologies produce the desired results. By monitoring the environmental impact of their work and being trained in sensible driving techniques, they continually strive to minimise the pollutant emissions produced by their trucks.

To read interviews with Hervé Montjotin and Martial Valente, please visit

www.norbert-dentressangle.com

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