Following the appraisal days dedicated to assessing the contenders for the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2022 Awards, the winners of the seventeenth running of the event, in association with AIB Finance & Leasing, include Mercedes-Benz and Volvo Trucks, while Dennis Eagle, Renault Trucks, Mercedes-Benz, Maxus and Iveco were successful in the associated Fleet Transport Irish Green Commercial of the Year Awards 2022, supported by Gas Networks Ireland.
In the Flagship Tractor-unit category, the recently launched Mercedes-Benz Actros Edition 2, which celebrates its 25th anniversary as a model range this year, caught the imagination and rendered the most votes from the expert jury panel, with Volvo Trucks scooping the two main prizes in the Distribution rigid classes. The Volvo FM 330 4×2 won the Medium class and the Volvo FM 380 6×2 took the honours in the Heavy 26t GVW section.
Alongside the prize-winning diesel powered trucks, the Fleet Transport Irish Green Commercial of the Year Awards featured two alternative powered divisions – natural gas and electric. Iveco, one of the early advocators of natural gas right across its model line from light to heavy commercials was noteworthy. On this occasion, the new Iveco S-Way NP (Natural Power) with its 460hp CNG powered tractor-unit was rewarded with the heavy-duty class, with the Daily NP CNG victorious in the light commercial segment. Gas Networks Ireland is the associate sponsor for these awards.
Zero emission trucks and vans were also presented with specially commissioned stained-glass prize by Magpie Art. In the heavy-duty Electric category, Dennis Eagle picked up its first major title with its new eCollect all-electric refuse truck, while in the Distribution sector, the new Renault Range D16 Z.E. 4×2 rigid was recognised here.
At the light commercial segment, the new Maxus eDeliver 9 electric and the Mercedes-Benz eVito 111 were acknowledged.
In paying tribute to the award winners, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport said: “Congratulations to the prize winners, all worthy winners in a high quality competition. While diesel power will be with us for years to come, it was great to see an increasing number of more environmentally friendly commercials becoming available from manufacturers in the natural gas and electric fields. Thanks again to the truck and van brands for their co-operation and to the sponsors AIB Finance & Leasing and Gas Networks Ireland. Full details and pictures of the prizes handover are featured in the December edition of Fleet Transport.”
Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award is presented to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months, which has made the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. Only trucks available for the group test exercise are eligible for judging and voting. This adjudication relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2022 – Flagship Tractor-Unit
Winner: Mercedes-Benz Actros Edition 2
Pictured (l-r) Fergus Conheady, Laura Cooke, Keith Tanner and Gerry McDonnell, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing and Patrick Power, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles.
Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2022 – Distribution Category (Heavy)
Winner: Volvo FM 380 6×2
Pictured is Martin Tomlinson, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland (left) accepting the award from Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport.
Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2022 – Distribution Category (Medium)
Winner: Volvo FM 330 4×2
Pictured is Martin Tomlinson, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland (left) accepting the award from Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport.
Fleet Transport Green Commercial Awards 2022 – Electric Truck Category (Heavy) – Winner: Dennis Eagle eCollect
Pictured (l-r) – Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Andy Graves, Dennis Eagle; Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing and Martin Ryan, Dennis Eagle Ireland.
Pictured (l-r) – Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing; Andy Graves, Dennis Eagle; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport and Martin Ryan, Dennis Eagle Ireland
Fleet Transport Green Commercial Awards 2022 – Electric Truck Category (Medium)
Winner: Renault Range D16 Z.E.
Pictured (l-r) – Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Harry Nash, Setanta Vehicle Sales and Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing
Fleet Transport Green Commercial Awards 2022 – Electric Van (Large)
Winner: MAXUS eDELIVER9
Pictured (l-r) – Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing; Denise Harris, CEO, Harris Group; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; John McEvoy, Harris Group and Karl Haughton, Maxus.
Fleet Transport Green Commercial Awards 2022 – Electric Van (Medium)
Winner: Mercedes-Benz eVito
Pictured (l-r) – Fergus Conheady, Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles; Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Transport and Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing.
Fleet Transport Green Commercial Awards 2022 – Natural Gas (Truck)
Winner: IVECO S-WAY NP
Pictured (l-r) – Paul White, Fleet Transport; Stephen Sproule, Emerald Truck & Van; David Hanahoe, Gas Networks Ireland (Sponsor); Mark Smith, Emerald Truck & Van; Paolo Vota, Iveco UK & Ireland, Vincenzo Nicolo, M.D. Iveco UK & Ireland; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport; Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing; Joe Ryan, Emerald Truck & Van; Jodi Byrne, McCulla Ireland and Adam Harris, Iveco UK & Ireland.
Fleet Transport Green Commercial Awards 2022 – Natural Gas (Van)
Winner: IVECO Daily NP
Pictured (l-r) –David Hanahoe, Gas Networks Ireland; Mark Smith, Emerald Truck & Van; Vincenzo Nicolo, M.D. Iveco UK & Ireland; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Transport and Felim O’Donnell, AIB Finance & Leasing