Describe the Electra eCargo Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle?
Electra built the vehicle on a 19-tonne GVW 4×2 glider chassis with a multi-temperature insulated body by Solomon, complete with a Carrier Transicold TRS Iceland electric refrigeration unit, powerbox inverter, and a Dhollandia tail-lift. Power comes from 225kWh battery packs, which are charged by a Proton Motors 44kW Hydrogen fuel cell fed by 20kg of onboard Hydrogen, carried in four cylinders at 350 bar. Additionally, the vehicle is fitted with two AC/DC charging units.
Tell us about the trial of the Electra vehicle with Sainsbury’s?
Electra has successfully completed a three-month trial supporting major UK supermarket Sainsbury’s with our zero emission 19-tonne refrigerated hydrogen-powered truck.
The Electra eCargo Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) travelled a typical daily journey of 208 miles from the supermarket’s depot in Sherburn-on-Elmet to Newcastle and back – emitting zero emissions versus an average of 314kg of CO2 emitted per day by a diesel truck making the same trip. Data collected from the trial also showed that the HGV used approximately 65% of its hydrogen capacity per trip, giving it an approximate operational daily range of 320 miles on one fill of hydrogen.
The Electra eCargo FCEV has been in operation with Sainsbury’s in the Tees Valley area and beyond as part of the Road to Hydrogen – a UK government-funded project. It focuses on helping the UK solve challenges around zero emission road freight linked to the Teesside Multi-Modal Transport Hydrogen Hub. Hydrogen for the trial was supplied by Element 2, the company building the UK’s national network of hydrogen refuelling stations.
I am thrilled with the truck’s performance during its tour in the Tees Valley area. Seeing something that was just a vision for the future on paper over a year ago now becoming a reality is fantastic.
We will now bring fully operational hydrogen trucks onto our roads in 2023, as well as further building on the success of our electric ranges.
What about the role of Element 2 in the project?
We could not have made this a success without our partner Element 2, which provided a robust hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for the project. We look forward to working with Element 2 in future hydrogen undertakings.
What we have achieved together gives transport operators the confidence to switch to hydrogen sooner rather than later.
Tell us about your airport refuelling truck?
Titan Aviation and Electra have created the Titan-eRR20 together, a state-of-the-art 100% electric refueller designed to reduce airport greenhouse gas emissions. This zero emission refuelling truck will be shipped to and operate at an Irish airport.
The strategic partnership between the two innovators will mean a significant turning point for decarbonising the airport’s operations. It will be the first fully electric refueller in operation in Ireland.
Sid Sadique, Founder and Chairman of Electra Commercial Vehicles
