- Latest simple, blower-based replacement proposal is not an actual alternative as it does not give same level of benefits as airconditioning system
- Erich Nesselhauf, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles: “Airconditioning in trucks is not a comfort or luxury feature – it can help prevent serious accidents as it helps the drivers to stay fit and focused during long hours even in the most adverse environmental conditions.”
Mumbai – Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) continues to advocate the mandatory introduction of AC (airconditioning systems) in trucks as an important step to boost traffic safety across India. Consequently, the company does not support the latest proposal by the majority of India’s commercial vehicle makers to replace true AC with a simple, blower-based system.
Said Mr. Erich Nesselhauf, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles: “Airconditioning in trucks is not a comfort or luxury feature – it can help prevent serious accidents as it helps the drivers to stay fit and focused during long hours even in the most adverse environmental conditions.”
With regard to the technical aspects of the proposed blower-based system, Mr. Nesselhauf continued: “The only advantage of this blower system is that it is cheap – it ends right there. There is technically no way how it could bring the cabin temperature down below outside temperature, so it does not provide any meaningful benefits to keep the driver alert and fit. In fact, a blower unit will actually increase the temperature and dust level inside the cabin.”
BharatBenz & AC – quick facts
BharatBenz has been selling AC throughout its 9-49 ton range from day one onwards. As BharatBenz vehicles are sold only as fully built vehicles, customers can rely on the hassle-free experience of a perfectly integrated AC system ex-factory.
BharatBenz is continuously working to remove the misconception that AC leads to additional fuel consumption: non-AC trucks are typically driven with open windows, which significantly drives up wind drag and hence fuel consumption. In direct comparison, efficient AC trucks can even offer a better mileage. Feedback from BharatBenz AC truck customers also indicates that AC trucks cover more kilometers every day due to less driver fatigue. This adds to the overall profitability for truck customers. As GST opens up state borders and logistics become even more efficient, transporters will benefit from these extra miles every day.
With AC making the workplace safer for truck drivers especially during long-distance hauling, BharatBenz also expects to see some positive effects on the transportation sector’s ability to attract new drivers, not least due to the strong competition from other industries like the growing ride-hailing services. BharatBenz expects a complete AC rollout to lead to economies of scale, which should bring down the cost quickly throughout the entire industry – as the most recent example of the mandatory requirement of ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) has demonstrated.
