Kirkby Skips Ltd has taken a huge step towards decarbonising its fleet of 18-tonne skiploaders with the delivery of five new Volvo FE Electric 4×2 rigids. The zero-tailpipe emission trucks replace five older diesel units in the forward-thinking business’ 20-strong commercial vehicle fleet.
The Liverpool-based firm has been buying Volvos since 2003 and opted to go down the electric route having been hugely impressed with a demonstrator vehicle supplied by local dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials.
Peter Groves, Director at Kirkby Skips Ltd, says: “As a company we are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon emissions, while also helping our customers achieve their Net Zero targets.
“These new FE Electrics are ideal for our operations. The demonstrator was with us for a week and during that time it showed quite clearly that the range would be absolutely no issue, with our daily operations comfortably handled on one charge. The drivers were all very complimentary about the handling and performance too, and they are obviously far quieter to drive than the diesels they replace.”
Supplied by Anthony Walsh, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials, each new FE Electric is mounted with Boughton Engineering skiploader bodywork, including sheeting system and remote control.
The power is delivered by two electric motors, generating a peak torque of 850 Nm and driven by a two-speed transmission, offering a very smooth driving experience. Equipped with three batteries, the FEs will charge overnight at the company’s depot, with each full charge offering a projected range of around 200 km – perfect for the business’ local work collecting and delivering skips across Merseyside.
Each skiploader benefits from front and rear air suspension, chassis side skirts, an eight-tonne front axle, 11.5-tonne rear axle and Dura-Bright alloy wheels. Built on a 3900 mm wheelbase, the trucks feature a day cab liveried in Volvo Winter White. Two Amber LED roof beacon lights and an additional lower window in the passenger door boost visibility and safety for busy urban operations.
“The trucks are very smart to look at and help to project the right image for our business,” adds Groves. “We are excited to see how they perform in the long-term.”
Thomas Hardie Commercials is supplying the FE Electrics backed by a comprehensive Volvo Gold Contract, including proactive monitoring of the batteries and associated components.
The new additions will operate 10 hours a day, six days a week, and are expected to clock up in the region of 45,000 km per year. Established in 1989, family-owned Kirkby Skips Ltd offers premier waste management services to a wide customer base, including some of the UK’s largest companies, throughout Merseyside.
