Scania’s new fuel alarm deters thieves
2 JANUARY 2020
All too often, an unhappy driver finds the cap broken and the fuel tank dry. Scania therefore introduces the Fuel Theft Alarm, with an installed sensor that monitors the fuel level, initially for single tanks and very soon also for the more common double tanks.
“Although the loss of valuable fuel is bad enough, it is perhaps worse that the truck cannot carry out the day’s scheduled deliveries as planned and may be liable to penalties,” says Product Manager Eric Ljunggren, Scania.
The fuel alarm monitors for up to 65 hours
If the fuel level drops significantly, the alarm is activated and emits a high-pitched sound, which it shares with the normal theft alarm system. When activated, the alarm system monitors the fuel level for up to 65 hours, provided that the truck’s master battery switch is activated. The customer will also receive an e-mail, text message and a warning notification in their Scania Fleet Management Portal if they have the Control Package.
One French fleet owner says that stolen diesel and ancillary costs annual set him back 12,000 euro. Although his depot yard is fenced and equipped with CCTV, thieves continue to plague him.
“A large sum of money goes up in smoke each year but additionally the thieves break and pierce fuel tanks,” he says. “This requires repairs and the truck is immobilised. It’s all very, very annoying and now we’ve decided never to refuel on Fridays so that tanks are empty when we park for weekend.”
Deterring presumptive thieves
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the Fuel Theft Alarm is in deterring presumptive thieves. A sticker on the tank warns miscreants that the fuel is protected. Even if the fuel in the tank is saved, attempts may still cause grief since a broken cap might require time-consuming and costly repairs.
“The owner and driver will be alerted if the vehicle is being tampered with and the consequences of having fuel stolen can be avoided or at least mitigated,” says Ljunggren.
