Story: COLIN DAWSON

Remapping programme gives economy and environmental boost to BT Fleet

BT Fleet vehicles are undergoing remapping to improve fuel economy and emissions

WITH high fuel prices forming a major part of transport costs, reducing consumption has to be a priority for all tradesmen and SME van operators.

And if you can save money and help the environment into the bargain, that can only be a good thing.

To this end, tuning and engine control unit (ECU) remapping specialist Viezu Technologies (What’s remapping? See below.) is working with BT Group, which runs one of the UK’s largest van fleets, to provide a series of environmental, performance and financial improvements which will entail remapping of more than 20,000 of BT’s light commercial vehicles.

Viezu says the programme will use proprietary technology to deliver better fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions and improve drivability. It’s expected to save BT more than £3 million in running costs.

The vehicles being tuned within the upgrade programme range from small Corsa-sized vans through to larger Transit chassis-cab vans, with much larger payloads and different driving cycles.

Thanks to its extensive understanding of its fleet operating cycles, BT Fleet was able to provide Viezu with detailed requirements and benchmarking figures. Viezu and BT Fleet then developed a blend of tuning solutions to match BT’s requirements, including throttle, rev, speed and power limiting.

The remapping programme for BT’s 24,000 vehicles is set to be completed in just four months and more than 5,000 vehicles have already been converted. Remaps take place at BT Fleet’s 63 garages around the UK as vehicles come in for regular MoT tests and other service work.

Individual, bespoke software files are written for each vehicle by Viezu’s team of software development engineers. New remap files are currently supplied back to BT Fleet’s garages in just five minutes ensuring no delays in servicing and maximum workshop efficiency.

Remapping programme gives economy and environmental boost to BT Fleet

Viezu Technologies develops bespoke software for each vehicle

Paul Busby, Viezu Technologies CEO, told Business Vans: “Vehicle remapping offers fleets a host of opportunities and we’re being increasingly asked by companies like BT to help them achieve their own environmental and cost reduction targets.

“With an ISO-certified process and a potential payback period of just three months, any technical risks are minimised and rewards can be felt almost instantaneously,” he said.

The programme has been deemed so successful that BT Fleet is set to roll the service out to its business van customers to help them achieve similar savings.

Keep up to date with developments in our Business Van News section.

What’s remapping?

The engine control unit governs many of the functions of modern engines – air/fuel mix, ignition timing, turbo boost etc. All that has an effect on power output, emissions, and economy. It also imposes speed and rev limits where necessary. With a detailed knowledge of the sort of work BT’s vans do every day, Viezu has been able to optimise these settings for BT’s particular demands.

Remapping needs expert knowledge however, and there can be insurance implications since a remap may count as a vehicle modification.

 

Got a spare 30 seconds?

 Help us to provide you with better market insight by completing a very short survey. It is anonymous and only takes 30 seconds. You will get free access to the quarterly results.

Thinking of the switch to electric?

Need help in finding the right electric vehicle for you? Compare driving range, battery capacity, charging time, price, and features to find the perfect EV for you.

logo