As a van owner, it's not always easy to find ways to cut one's costs - aside perhaps from choosing affordable and reliable van breakdown cover from startrescue.co.uk. But the Citroën Berlingo offers a very effective way of cutting fuel costs, namely by employing its Stop & Start technology, which cuts out the engine as soon as the vehicle comes to a halt, before restarting it automatically when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.
Not only is this technology likely to please many a van driver, it's also sure to put a smile on the face of TfL (Transport for London), since the technology complies with its current 'Switch off Your Engine' campaign.
The campaign advises motorists to switch off their engines if they come to a halt for more than a minute, thus improving the capital's air quality. The obvious beneficial side effect - for most vehicles - is that less fuel will be used. The Berlingo simply makes it easy to carry out.
The Berlingo e-HDi Airdream models reduce fuel consumption by up to 15% in urban settings. The fuel-saving Stop & Start system costs an additional £145 above that of the standard Berlingo model.
Citroën's Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager, Scott Michael, said of the technology: "Citroën has a track record of producing low emitting LCVs and we are now offering van buyers even lower emission alternatives, while minimising or eliminating altogether, the cost penalty usually associated with new clean fuel-efficient technology. With lower emissions and lower running costs too, it's a win-win deal for van owners and the environment."