Mercedes-Benz puts the break on speeding drivers

A new fuel-saving device designed to put the brakes on 'heavy right-footed' drivers is now available on all Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles.

Called 'ExcelArate', and developed by Zeta Automotive in partnership with Mercedes-Benz UK, the device works by limiting the performance of unladen vehicles.

Nick Blake, Sales Engineering Manager at Mercedes-Benz UK, explained: "Modern vans and trucks often have very powerful engines, designed to work efficiently when hauling a full load, but frequently they are driven with only part loads or even completely empty. In those situations, it's tempting for the driver to make use of that power to accelerate more quickly than necessary – which, of course, has an adverse effect on fuel consumption.

"The ExcelArate system prevents this by limiting the power and revs available to the driver, so the vehicle behaves exactly as it would when carrying a 60% load. It's a great example of how we at Mercedes-Benz UK are working with experts in a number of fields to help hard-pressed operators minimise the cost of running commercial vehicles as far as possible."

Zeta's Head of Business Unit Gordon Anderson added: "It's a 'fit and forget' system, with no training or management required. It simply means drivers will no longer be able to over-rev their engines. But when they need it, for example on a steep hill or with a heavy load, full power will still be available.

The system has already produced some striking results during trials, when fitted to Mercedes-Benz Sprinters in some of Britain's best-known fleets. Vehicles equipped with ExcelArate have covered more than 40,000 miles working for Ginsters, Ocado, Parcelforce Worldwide, Sainsbury's and Waitrose – and have produced reductions in fuel use ranging from 4.1% to 15.8%.