Safety and savings take center stage: results of the EcoDrive Challenge 2025
The transport company VCHD Cargo has announced the results of the VCHD EcoDrive Challenge 2025 competition, which focused on promoting economical, smooth, and defensive driving in long-distance transport. All of the company’s branches in the Czech Republic took part in the competition, and drivers who drove at least 10,000 kilometers during the competition were evaluated. The competition focused exclusively on long-distance export routes, where driving style has a significant impact on fuel consumption, safety, and the technical condition of vehicles.
The EcoDrive Challenge ran from September to November 2025 and was based on objective data from the Perfect Drive telematics system. The company has been using this system for a long time to evaluate driving style and provide feedback to drivers. The aim of the competition was not only to compare results, but above all to motivate drivers to take a conscious and professional approach to driving and to further improve their skills. 
VCHD Cargo has long focused on economical and defensive driving and regularly trains its drivers in this area. This is not only about reducing fuel consumption, but also about increasing road safety, traffic flow, lower vehicle wear and tear, and reducing the impact on the environment.
The competition was evaluated based on monthly reports from the Perfect Drive system and was based on four indicators that were not chosen at random. They primarily monitor driving smoothness, the driver’s ability to anticipate traffic situations, and respect for speed limits. These factors have a direct impact on road safety, fuel consumption, equipment wear and tear, and the amount of emissions produced. For VCHD Cargo, economical driving does not mean inefficient driving, but a calm, anticipatory, and professional driving style.
The overall results of the competition were dominated by the Kladno branch, whose drivers took all three top places. The winner was Ladislav Albini with 95.73 points, Marek Pčola took second place and Stanislav Pátek finished third. The company also recognized the best drivers from other branches, namely Lukáš Koblížek from Brno and Jiří Krupauer from Havlíčkův Brod.
In addition to the main evaluation, specialists in individual parameters and drivers with the greatest improvement in results during the competition – the so-called jumpers of the month – were also recognized. The winners received valuable prizes and diplomas. The competition fulfilled its goal and served not only as a comparison of performance, but above all as a motivational tool promoting safe and responsible driving.
“We greatly appreciate our drivers. They are the ones who represent VCHD Cargo every day on roads across Europe. That is why we work with them on a long-term basis, train them regularly, and provide them with feedback based on objective data. We see the EcoDrive Challenge as a reward for professionalism and the desire to constantly improve,” said Petr Kozel Jr., Chief Operating Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of VCHD Cargo a.s.
VCHD Cargo currently employs 500 people in Europe and has long been one of the transport companies that emphasizes safety, efficiency, and a responsible approach to transport. The positive response to the competition and the high participation across branches confirmed that the chosen approach brings concrete and measurable results. The company is therefore already planning to organize the EcoDrive Challenge again in 2026.
How VCHD Cargo measures driving style – explanation of parameters
The EcoDrive Challenge 2025 used the Perfect Drive system, which objectively measures driving style. The evaluation consisted of four main parameters:
- Maximum use of Ecoroll + driving without consumption
Monitors the driver’s ability to use the vehicle’s inertia and range without accelerating. Helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions, saves the engine and drivetrain. - Most time using constant acceleration pedal/cruise control
Measures the time spent at a steady speed when the driver keeps the accelerator in a constant position or uses cruise control. Smooth driving minimizes sudden acceleration and deceleration, resulting in lower fuel consumption and less wear and tear on the vehicle. - Lowest time in overdrive above 85 km/h
Shows how much time the driver spends at high speeds with the accelerator pedal fully depressed. A low value indicates respect for speed limits, smooth driving, and use of engine braking. - Best driver foresight
Assessed as a combination of several aspects: smooth driving, use of coasting without throttle, frequency of sudden braking, sudden acceleration, and time spent driving above 85 km/h. This parameter shows the driver’s ability to plan ahead, reduce the risk of accidents, and optimize fuel consumption.