Newport-based outsourced service provider Smart Solutions believes that replacing five of its mixed fleet with five new Mercedes-Benz Citan vans, it will reduce annual diesel costs by £15,000.

If you’re not used to the costs of running a vehicles that are in use 365 days a year, then this might seem ambtious. However, when you break it down, a £15,000 saving spread across five vans equates to £8.22 per day, or perhaps 9 litres of diesel, excluding VAT.

It’s probably fair to say that Smart Solutions wouldn’t achieve these savings if it was switching from a comparable small van such as a Citroen Berlingo, but it’s not. The Citans will be replacing a mixed fleet, including some 4x4s. These tend to be much heavier on fuel and given that they will be used for security and cleaning duties — which require entail relatively high daily mileages — Smart Solutions’ forecast savings seem quite plausible.

Operations Director Steve Hancock said that having previously operated an assortment of vans and 4×4 cars, the company had now resolved to consolidate its fleet around a single marque.

“We were looking to achieve a degree of standardisation and approached several manufacturers, with reliability, mpg performance, servicing and image all high on our list of priorities,” he said. “Euro Commercials provided Citan and mid-size Vito demonstration units for trial, and we felt both represented excellent value for money.

“I’ve taken the wheel myself and the Citan has a nice, comfortable driving position, while the crew van specification means we can also use these vehicles to transport teams of staff to contract locations – our previous van supplier does not offer a similarly-sized van with a second row of seats.”

Smart Solutions’ Citans are 90 hp 109 CDI models, which have a combined cycle economy figure of up 61.4 mpg.

“In terms of fuel-efficiency the Citan represents a big improvement on our previous vehicles, particularly the 4x4s,” observed Mr Hancock. “We expect these Mercedes-Benz vans to save us around £15,000 a year in fuel costs.”

Smart Solutions was founded in 2007 by Chief Executive Nathan Bowles, and achieved sales in its first year of £262,000. By 2010 it was the fastest-growing firm in Wales, since when it has maintained its relentless progress – turnover for the last financial year reached a new high of £82 million.

Highlights of the last financial year for Smart Solutions included the openings of new offices in Chester, Leicester and Norwich, and the multi-million pound acquisition of specialist recruitment business Right Direction UK.