Co-operative trials new Dolphin aerodynamic truck-body

The Co-operative Group, which has said it would welcome the opportunity to trial more longer semi-trailers, has become one of the first customers to receive Dolphin aerodynamic truck bodies from Gray & Adams.

The Dolphin is named because of its streamlined profile, which is designed to maximise fuel-efficiency and therefore reduce CO2 emissions.

The design, fitted in this example to two 26-tonne Scania chassis, features cappings that follow the curvature of the roof, and a vortex generator to smooth the airflow around the back of the vehicle.

Despite the body’s roof line tapering towards the rear of the truck, there is still sufficient interior space to accommodate the roll cages used by The Co-operative to transport its frozen and chilled product.

Both vehicles have entered service at The Co-operative Group’s recently opened, £22-million RDC in Avonmouth, from where they are being used to supply smaller stores throughout the South-West.

Ken Thompson, logistics service transport fleet manager for The Co-operative Group, said: “The new Dolphin represents a very exciting development.

“These vehicles are certainly turning heads and we will be monitoring their performance in terms of fuel efficiency with great interest over the coming months.”