Solstor UK has reported a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency after integrating Volvo Trucks’ I-Save-equipped FH tractor units into its fleet. Following a two-year trial, the company replaced 12 standard Volvo FH models with the new units in 2024, realising substantial cost and carbon emissions reductions.
Graham Doe, Managing Director of Solstor UK, praised the transformative impact of Volvo’s turbo compound technology. “The fuel efficiency improvements and enhanced driver experience make this a game-changer for our fleet,” he said.
The FH with I-Save 6×2 tractors, supplied by MC Truck and Bus, feature 500 hp Euro-6 Step E engines with a peak torque of 2,800 Nm. The turbo compound technology incorporates an additional turbine that captures and reuses excess energy from the exhaust, converting it into torque for increased power and fuel efficiency.
This setup allows drivers to maintain lower revs and higher gears, ensuring smoother, quieter journeys with significant fuel savings. The I-Save package also includes advanced predictive systems such as Volvo’s I-See cruise control, which analyses road gradients, and I-Cruise with I-Roll, which adjusts speed to optimise consumption. Aerodynamic enhancements, including roof and cab deflectors, and a 12-speed I-Shift gearbox further improve efficiency.
Driver training has been integral to the success of the transition. Using Volvo Connect, detailed monthly reports helped refine driving techniques, focusing on reducing idling and optimising cruise control usage. “Tailored training during the trial proved these trucks were ideal for our operations,” Doe added.
The new FH units are paired with temperature-controlled trailers and will clock up to 110,000 km annually delivering chilled and frozen goods. The trucks support Solstor’s 24/7 operations, servicing routes across Europe.
Established in 1983, Solstor UK specialises in temperature-controlled and general freight logistics. With offices across the UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, and Poland, the company offers full load, part load, and groupage services, alongside comprehensive customs solutions.
