Kirkby Skips 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 Liverpool-based firm opted to go down the electric route having been impressed with a demonstrator vehicle supplied by dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials.
They replace five older diesel units in the business’ 20-strong commercial vehicle fleet.
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.
Equipped with three batteries, the FEs will charge overnight at the firm’s depot, with each full charge offering a projected range of about 200 km – ideal 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.
The FE Electrics are backed by a comprehensive Volvo Gold Contract, including proactive monitoring of the batteries and associated components.
They will operate 10 hours a day, six days a week, and are expected to clock up about 45,000 km per year.
Peter Groves, Director at Kirkby Skips, said: “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.”
