Volvo Trucks has delivered its first electric skiploader in Britain for back-to-base operations in the West Midlands.
Pegasus Skip Hire said it expects to “seamlessly” add its new Volvo FE Electric to its fleet in Stourbridge, west of Birmingham, having opted for the zero emissions model after a visit to the Volvo Trucks Experience Centre (VTEX) in Sweden.
The vehicle, supplied by Hartshorne Group, has been mounted with Multilift skiploader bodywork and is powered by two electric motors, generating a peak torque of 850 Nm.
Its four batteries deliver a range of approximately 118 miles and can be recharged using the 150kW DC charger that has been installed at Pegasus’s depot.
The FE Electric is driven by a two-speed transmission, offering a smooth and comfortable driving experience, and handled by a traction control system developed to master slippery surfaces. Meanwhile, different drive modes are available to meet the operator’s desired performance, comfort and energy usage levels.
Pegasus expects the vehicle to operate for five days a week over seven years.
The investment is backed by a Volvo Gold Contract that covers all maintenance and repairs, including proactive monitoring of batteries and associated components.
Tony Hall, Director at Pegasus Skip Hire, said: “We are fully expecting the new electric truck to fit seamlessly into our daily operations and hope to add more to our fleet in the future.”