Partnership combines Allison's Extended Transmission Coverage with Scania chassis and Whale's specialised tanker bodies to serve UK municipal sector.

AMPTHILL, UK, September 16^th 2025 – Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions and the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions for commercial and defense vehicles, has added five years’ Extended Transmission Coverage (ETC) to Whale Tankers’ premium municipal tanker package for the UK market.

The partnership between Whale Tankers and Allison Transmission creates a unique value proposition for the municipal sector, combining Allison's 3000 and 3200 Series^TM fully automatic transmissions with five years’ Extended Transmission Coverage (ETC), Scania's chassis platform, and Whale Tankers' industry-leading liquid waste vacuum tankers and jetting equipment.

Whale Tankers, established in 1969 and now one of Europe's largest manufacturers of liquid waste vacuum tankers, holds an 85% market share in the UK's gully emptying application sector. The company supplies specialized vehicles to local authorities and municipal customers who require maximum uptime and reliability, as these fleets typically operate just one gully emptier with no backup vehicles in their depots.

Allison's fully automatic transmissions are ideally suited to the demanding duty cycle of gully emptying operations, which involves around 100 stop-start cycles per day. Unlike manual or automated manual transmissions (AMTs), Allison's clutchless design eliminates wear and tear whilst delivering superior fuel efficiency and productivity. The transmissions also enable dual Power Take-Off (PTO) capability, which allows operators to run pumps independently with more driveline options for auxiliary equipment.

“The municipal sector demands exceptional reliability and durability from its specialized vehicles,” said Nathan Wilson, Market & Area Sales Manager, UK and ROI, Allison Transmission. “Our Extended Transmission Coverage demonstrates our confidence in the superior performance and longevity of Allison automatics, whilst supporting operators who cannot afford vehicle downtime.”

Chris Anderson, Commercial Director at Whale Tankers, added, “Initial customer feedback has been highly positive, with early adopters praising the improved operational efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements compared to conventional transmission solutions. We are particularly pleased to be able to offer our customers an Allison Transmission factory-fit PTO package, fully integrated with, and controlled by, the ECU. With its simplified packaging, it is easier for us to build, and a more robust route than bolting on an aftermarket PTO ourselves.

“There are savings for fleets over the life of the vehicle in terms of the replacement clutches required with AMTs. Furthermore, with an Allison transmission, these vehicles will not need replacement gearboxes at seven or eight years; the Allison will run until the end of the working life of the vehicle at around 10 years,” concluded Chris Anderson.

Allison's comprehensive five-year ETC package provides extended warranty coverage beyond the standard terms, giving municipal operators confidence in their total cost of ownership. The programme includes 100 percent parts and labor as well as vehicle recovery – a demonstration of Allison's commitment to the durability and reliability of its transmissions in demanding municipal applications. In addition, the vehicles also benefit from a five-year warranty on the pressure vessel, providing comprehensive protection for the complete tanker system.

For more information about Allison's Extended Transmission Coverage for municipal tanker applications, contact Nathan Wilson at nathan.wilson@allisontransmission.com or 07557 403524.