Delivering 40% of bakeries in France, Caudron Meunerie (230 engines, 390 employees), a subsidiary of the Mousset Group, is looking for a clean vehicle to circulate in ZFE-m and city centers in 2024. The transporter is thus testing a carrier in Paris Mercedes Benz Econic 2630 with a low cabin and running on BioCNG, both to limit its carbon emissions and to secure the delivery driver.
400 km range
This Econic Euro6 6×2 is both a residue and a compendium of high technologies. With its 302 hp M936G engine dating from 2014, it is the latest gas-powered carrier produced by Daimler Truck, which is now dedicated to electromobility. It transports over 400 km the 12 t of sacks of flour that the delivery driver and his colleague can distribute on their rounds between loading freight at the Moulins Soufflet in Corbeil-Essonnes (91) and deliveries to bakeries before returning to their base with returned packaging. In this route, the gas supply is a security, believes the carrier: “the offer of recharging electricity is still too low in the Paris region. »
Cabin ergonomics and active safety
Delivery being carried out in 25 kg bags at Caudron Meunerie, the Econic is bodied in a tarpaulin flatbed with sides. It is also equipped with an electric tailgate, an Allison automatic transmission and two steering axles to facilitate its rotations. On the security side, it is geolocated and has 360° cameras. It also features Active Brake Assist4 for emergency braking and Side Guard Assist for changes of direction.
Its low, leaf-door cab reduces the risk of falls and operator fatigue. It has indeed only one step to access or exit its cabin. He thus reserves his strength for handling the 6 t of bags delivered per round. And a driver admits his satisfaction for “the pleasant environment of the lower cab and for the improvement it brings about in his relations with the public. »
Caudron Meunerie: towards energy diversity?
David Don, vehicle purchasing manager at Caudron Meunerie, is satisfied with the ergonomics of the Econic’s cabin. But he is worried about having to test the autonomy of the electric eEconics which will replace the biogas one. In question: “delivery times that reach twelve months. For our part, we have to anticipate our orders to be operational before 2024,” underlines David Don.
In Vendée, the Mousset Group has noted the relevance of gas-powered Scanias for supplying the stores of Système U. But this buyer says he is “pessimistic about the future of gas”. Its concern: the increase in its price. David Don is therefore closely following the B100 and XTL heavyweight tests carried out by the group to determine their interest. “We will no doubt have to practice energy mix until the commercialization of hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicles,” he concludes.
