When your fleet operates across some of the steepest terrains in England, the transmission technology you choose is about far more than fuel economy. For Ubico – the frontline services provider serving eight partner councils across Gloucestershire and beyond – Allison Transmission has become a cornerstone of reliable and sustainable fleet operations.

Ubico operates a fleet of around 1,300 vehicles, collecting waste and recycling from 369,000 domestic properties across 1,300 square miles. Its routes take in some of the most demanding gradients in the region and nowhere is that challenge more acute than in Stroud.

"Stroud and Gloucestershire is one of our most difficult areas, mainly to do with the geographical area," explains Alexander Walsh, Fleet Maintenance and Workshop Manager at Ubico. "The hills are very, very steep. These trucks are put under great pressure going up the hills – but especially coming down them. They can gain speed quickly, and many of these vehicles weigh 26 tons."

It is a reality that puts enormous demands on braking systems, drivetrain components, and driver skill alike. The answer, for Ubico, has been the Allison transmission – and in particular, the intelligent use of its integrated retarder system.

The Retarder Changes the Driving Experience

The retarder is the feature Ubico's team returns to again and again. By slowing the vehicle through transmission resistance rather than friction braking, it dramatically reduces the wear and heat generated by conventional brakes – a critical advantage on long, steep descents.

"The retarder reduces the amount the driver needs to use the foot brake," says Walsh. "That stops the vehicle from overheating and prevents brake fade. On these vehicles it has five stages – one is very soft, five is quite severe."

After extensive testing, Ubico's workshop settled on stage four as the optimal setting – and made it a fixed, fleet-wide standard. Stage four is the braking level, which increases from position 2 to 6. The result has been a measurable reduction in brake wear and replacement costs. "We analyzed it through our software, and we're saving money," Walsh confirms, "and it's made things a lot easier for the workshop."

From the driver's seat, the benefit is equally tangible. Gary, a Ubico driver, describes the experience on Stroud's notorious gradients: "It flows by itself, ever so gently. Retarding-wise, it's just feather throttle and it loads itself. Nice and calm, very relaxed."

There is also a broader environmental benefit that is often overlooked. By reducing hard braking events, Allison's retarder cuts particulate matter emissions generated by brake and tire wear – a meaningful contribution to Ubico's commitment to reducing its overall carbon footprint. "It's an all-round system that's helping us in many aspects," says Walsh.

FuelSense 2.0: Intelligent Efficiency in Every Gear

Beyond the retarder, Ubico has found significant value in Allison's FuelSense 2.0 software, which optimizes shift patterns and energy management throughout the drive cycle.

Ian Bourton, Head of Fleet Operations at Ubico, highlights the technology as a standout feature: "One of the things we appreciate about the Allison transmission – besides its robustness and reliability – is the FuelSense 2.0 technology. It's not just the slick gear changes that save on fuel. The fact that it automatically slips into neutral on stop is a great emission saver for us and our partner councils."

This automatic neutral-at-stop function eliminates unnecessary engine load whenever the vehicle is stationary – a frequent occurrence on refuse collection rounds, where drivers stop and start hundreds of times a day. Combined with smooth, optimized gear changes, it adds up to measurable fuel savings across the fleet.

Bourton, who oversees procurement across Ubico's partnership, is clear about where Allison sits in the fleet's future: "Our key drivers are value for money, reliability, and emissions reductions. That's the type of partner we look for – and Allison Transmission is currently one of those."

 

 

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Driver Efficiency: Scoring a Greener Fleet

Ubico's commitment to efficiency extends well beyond hardware. The organization runs a comprehensive driver behavior program, built around its Energy Efficiency Driver Index (EEDI) – a score from 1 to 100 that measures each driver's performance across acceleration, braking, and cornering.

"All our drivers are scored on the EEDI," explains Walsh. "The national standard benchmark is 75, which indicates economical driving. Drivers who fall below that score receive eco-coaching from our driver liaison managers, who give them the guidance to reach that level. Our main focus is carbon neutrality by 2030, and we've saved a significant amount in fuel as a result."

The telematics system – using CMS equipment and an in-cab SDA1 unit — gives drivers real-time feedback, while the liaison managers use the data to provide targeted coaching.

"The transmission assists the drivers," Walsh notes. "With less braking, it reduces fuel consumption – but it also gives them time to think, plan, and observe. When they take their foot off the accelerator, the vehicle slows down like engine braking in a car."

Gary's own experience bears this out. Since the introduction of Allison-equipped vehicles, his fuel refills have noticeably dropped. "As for the EEDI score – it's massively improved," he says. "For efficient driving, it's brilliant."

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

For Ubico, the case for Allison Transmission is one that combines the practical and the strategic. On the hills of Stroud, the retarder makes heavy vehicles more reliable, and across the fleet, FuelSense 2.0 delivers genuine fuel and emissions savings every day. And through the EEDI program, the transmission helps drivers achieve the scores – and habits – that will help Ubico towards its carbon neutrality goals.

"The transmission takes the distraction of a gearbox away from the driver," Gary reflects, "so you can concentrate on different situations on the road. Perfect."

In a business where reliability and sustainability must all be delivered simultaneously – across some of England's most challenging terrain – that simplicity, it turns out, is exactly what the job demands.

Link to customer video testimonial Powering Ubico's Daily Mission with Allison Transmission