Business telecommunications and IT systems

du Pré plc, provider of business continuity and telecommunications solutions, has upgraded its fleet of Volvos and followed its policy of becoming measurably greener.

Replacement vehicles had to be able to demonstrate a much lesser CO2 emission, significantly more miles per gallon, and less servicing costs.

Staying with Volvo, but...

"The first point to make," said Piers du Pré, Group Chairman, "is that we are staying with Volvos, but with the new 1.6 DRIVe engine which is able to return an average in excess of 60mpg.

"The second point is that we have changed suppliers to Motorworld in Wantage. Why? There were two companies interested in supplying us, but Richard Harbud of Motorworld made the most impressive and believable pitch which could not be refused."

Proving the Point

The first six cars were delivered in November, and Motorworld has been true to their word. Further, the service administration overhead has been reduced, as has vehicle downtime.

The Accounts department is already reporting a substantial reduction in fuel consumption, with the 1.6 DRIVe engine proving to be everything Richard said; efficient, economic, whilst still delivering the power when needed.

The new cars are a hit

Damon Hogan, IT Systems Engineer, travels all over the UK for du Pré and is much happier driving one of the new vehicles. “The performance is far better than I expected it to be and the improved fuel consumption means I can go further between refills,” he said.

"But the best thing is the reduced environmental impact. We all have a part to play with the effects of climate change, and it’s good to know my carbon footprint is now much smaller."

du Pré's fleet will have been completely updated by the summer of 2010.