Essex-based Burnt Mills Tyres Limited, has marked its 30th anniversary with a significant step towards sustainability by introducing its first fully electric vehicles.
Supplied by Peter Thirkettle at Norfolk Truck and Van, three new Renault Trucks E-Tech Master L2H2 panel vans will provide Burnt Mills Tyres’ on-site and roadside tyre fitting services. The new vans will clock up between 50 and 100 miles a day, with local trips in and out of the depot in Basildon where the vehicles will also be charged.
Will Bray, Managing Director of Burnt Mills Tyres, explains the decision to choose Renault Trucks for the company’s first electric vehicles: “Over the years, we’ve relied on Renault Trucks for their unmatched reliability and cost-effectiveness. Our long-standing relationship with the sales team at Norfolk Truck and Van, especially with Peter Thirkettle, played a significant role in our decision. I value working with people I know and trust, and Renault Trucks has always been our ‘go-to’ manufacturer for the demands of our business.”
Will continues: “We have had many Renault Trucks over the last 30 years, I have honestly lost count. We have used others in the past but have always found Renault Trucks the most successful for what we do. The reduction in fuel costs alone makes these vehicles ideal for our operations, and Renault Trucks’ R&M deal ensures that our overheads remain consistent and manageable.”
The Renault Trucks E-Tech Master, equipped with a R75 electric motor and a 52kWh lithium-ion battery, has a real-life range of up to 120 miles on a single charge. With zero-emissions and zero-noise pollution, the vans can operate without restriction in highly regulated areas including London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
The vehicles have also been specified with an additional split battery charging system to operate the on-board tyre fitting machines and chargers have been installed at the company’s Basildon site, further simplifying the transition to electric.
To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Burnt Mills Tyres has also unveiled a refreshed version of its iconic “Burnie the Hedgehog” logo, prominently displayed on the new E-Tech Masters along with a sticker that reads “NO DIESEL ENGINES LEFT IN THIS VEHICLE OVERNIGHT,” in playful nod to the company’s switch to electric vehicles and its commitment to a greener future.
Will said: “As we celebrate 30 years, we felt it was important to modernise our look with something a little faster and sharper, while staying true to our roots. Our branding is well known locally, and this refresh celebrates the longevity of our business and the quality of service we provide.”
Burnt Mills Tyres’ investment in its first electric vehicles marks a pivotal step in the company’s sustainability journey. Will concludes: “Even though we are a small company, this project has inspired us to become more efficient and greener. These are our first EVs, and it’s an exciting time. I’m confident that our fleet will double in the next few years and that we will become 100% electric. With this strategic move, Burnt Mills Tyres is not only celebrating its past achievements but also paving the way for a sustainable future and we are delighted to partner with Renault Trucks on this journey. I truly believe that electric vehicles are the way forward for businesses like ours.”
