5 economical truck models to compare for your fleet

You need to save more in your fleet. Fact. How about doing it by investing in modern vehicles chosen with care?

In most cases, the attempt to save starts with decisions that seem simple but can turn out to be expensive. One example is fueling up at an unbranded gas station just because the price is lower. If the fuel quality compromises performance or increases maintenance, the bill comes back to the operation.

Trying to save without investing in quality products is almost a guarantee that something will go wrong. In a fleet, purchase price, consumption, maintenance, availability and route profile need to be evaluated together.

In many cases, especially when it comes to fleets, the solution lies in acquiring good equipment and technologies, combined with a well-defined operating routine and attention to the daily use of the vehicles.

So we went looking for economical truck model options and updated the list with more care about what each vehicle promises to deliver. Some data come from tests, others from features published by the manufacturers, so ideally you should compare each model with your own operation before deciding.

Scania R500

Scania is a Swedish company with several differentiators in the production of its truck models. Among them is the focus on building economical machines that deliver a reduction in operating costs without losing comfort.

The R500 model has a 13-liter engine and consumes around 20 liters of diesel every 100 km, at an average speed of 80 km/h.

In fact, it went through evaluation and testing stages, traveling at that average speed for 350 km with a 40-ton load. In that scenario, it achieved about 4 km/l.

Based on these numbers, the truck would save, on average, 600 liters per year. Since this kind of result depends on load, route, driver, maintenance and average speed, use the figure as a reference for comparison, not as an automatic guarantee for every operation.

DAF XF 105

The Dutch automaker DAF started producing this model in 2013, the brand's first production in Brazil. It is a heavy-haul truck, carrying up to 74 tons in a single trip.

This version of the vehicle promises 14% savings from the Paccar MX 13 engine compared to traditional vehicles. In addition, other elements influence the vehicle's economy, such as predictive cruise control and the driver performance assistant.

All of this together aims to bring the cost reduction the operations manager wants, as well as above-average efficiency and performance. Because it is a model from a generation that began in 2013, it is worth paying extra attention to availability, maintenance history and total cost of ownership when comparing new, nearly new or used units.

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Volvo FH 540

Volvo has been refining its truck models for more than 50 years. One priority they like to bring to their builds is safety.

That is why, with the FH 540, they innovated by introducing some technological solutions. Examples include “I-See”, a road reader, and driver coaching, both tools that help the driver drive safely and economically.

In addition, Volvo's braking systems rely on electronic interactions to increase vehicle stability. This vehicle's engine is a 13-liter Volvo D13.

VW Delivery 11.180

Volkswagen is a German automaker and a benchmark in the automotive market. As a result, it has several lines of versatile vehicles. As for truck models, the Delivery 11.180 stands out for the agility it provides in short- and medium-distance road services.

Its engine is the 3.8-liter Cummins ISF with SCR technology. The air brake system also stands out for its low maintenance cost, in addition to the savings from on-road performance.

For those operating in regional distribution, urban deliveries or short routes, the point of analysis should not be consumption alone. Maneuverability, ease of maintenance, downtime and suitability for the weight carried also factor in. An economical truck that does not fit the route profile may not deliver the expected cost reduction.

VW e-Delivery

Now, if there is one model that has gained ground in discussions in recent years, it is the electric truck. News of operations with dozens of electric vehicles helped draw attention to this type of solution, but the purchase decision needs to consider infrastructure, range, application and total cost over time.

One of the electric truck models we want to present here is the e-Delivery. Although it is made by Volkswagen, a German automaker, the production line is entirely Brazilian.

There are two variants of this model, with different capacities, but they share the same structure: an engine capable of reaching 408 cv. One of the vehicle's highlights is the instant torque of 219 kgfm, along with the kinetic energy recovery system, capable of recovering up to 40% of what would be dissipated during braking.

According to Roberto Cortes, president of VW Caminhões e Ônibus,

“The initial cost, due to the low production volume, is higher. But it pays for itself in five years, thanks to fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs.”

In other words, you pay more up front to have a vehicle that generates long-term savings. Even so, the calculation needs to consider the reality of the fleet: charging availability, average route distance, weight carried, operating windows and the ability to keep the vehicle available.

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