A remapped BT Ford Transit -- next time one overtakes you, you'll know why!

Engine remaps are normally something associated with increasing a vehicle’s performance and have always had a slightly disreputable image — due mainly to the number of low-quality product on the market which don’t always deliver the gains they promise, and can cause accelerated engine wear.

Remapping BT-style

However, there’s a far more reputable side to engine remapping, as one of the UK’s largest fleet operators, BT Fleet, has just shown.

More than 20,000 of BT’s light commercial vehicles are going to be remapped using vehicle tuning and ECU remapping specialist Viezu Technologies proprietary system, to deliver better fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions, while also improving vehicle driveability.

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. However, due to their extensive understanding of their fleet’s operating cycles, BT Fleet was able to provide Viezu with detailed requirements and benchmarking figures.

Viezu and BT Fleet then developed a unique blend of tuning solutions to match BT’s requirements which included throttle, rev, speed and power limiting. It is anticipated that the programme will help BT deliver savings of over £3 million.

Steve Watson, Senior Innovation and Design Specialist, BT Fleet, comments:

“BT is committed to being a responsible and sustainable business leader, so remapping our vehicles for economy and better environmental performance makes complete sense. But it’s not just these benefits which make it appealing. Once we saw what was technically possible, we crunched the numbers and the business case also stacked up.”

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’s and other service work.

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

Paul Busby, CEO of Viezu Technologies, explains the business case for remapping:

“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.”

Can I Get One For My Van?

It looks like remapping might soon cease to be a dirty word — I wonder whether insurance companies will start to accept it more readily without charging extra?

If you’re interested in getting a Viezu remap for your van (or car), then the company does appear to have a retail operation and offers remaps (and DIY remap boxes) for most popular models. Visit the Viezu website for more details.