In a significant step towards the decarbonisation of waste collection and transport, Renault Trucks has announced the signing of a contract with national waste recycling specialist Recycling Lives to deliver the UK’s first two 100% electric 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. skip loaders.
The announcement was made during Freight in the City Expo 2021, September 28, Alexandra Palace, London.
Joining Recycling Lives’ specialist skip handling fleet, the two D Wide Z.E.s will be located at the Recycling Park in Preston, employed in daily operations servicing commercial and household clients.
The vehicles are a result of a project where Recycling Lives worked with Renault Trucks to co-design a bespoke electric skip loader vehicle.
Gerry Marshall, Recycling Lives’ CEO, commented on the partnership. He said: “A significant driver for our business is innovation. These vehicles are an industry first, and they’ll be a standard element of our fleet over time.“
Gerry Marshall continues: “The vehicles have been specifically designed for us to deliver optimum operational efficiencies, and it was critical for us that we partner with an international organisation that matches our values and our ambitions.
“A fundamental aspect of moving over to an electric fleet was that our innovations will provide environmental benefits to our customers too.
“We’re committed to minimising our impact on the environment as the company evolves to offer more circular economy solutions. Replacing our transport fleet with electric vehicles and more sustainable fuel solutions is vital in that transition.”
Recycling Lives’ purchase decision follows the successful trial of a 16 tonne Renault Trucks D Z.E. demonstrator in July which provided an opportunity to evaluate performance and effectiveness for electric vehicle applications in the fleet. Additionally, Renault Trucks’ enhancement of the D and D Wide Z.E. range, with the introduction of an 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. model and extended range of wheelbases, provided the payload and manoeuvrability required for skip handling vehicles.
Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK & Ireland said: “Not only does today mark a significant step on the road to net zero for waste transport and skip loaders in particular, this order for two trucks also speaks volumes about the performance of the D Z.E demonstrator in operation, and Recycling Lives’ confidence in electric vehicles playing a key role in their current and future fleet.”
Supplied on a seven year contract hire deal including R&M via Renault Trucks Financial Services, the 3900mm wheelbase vehicles are specified with four 66 kWh battery packs giving an operating range on a single charge of up to 150km throughout its operation. As with all Renault Trucks D Z.E. and D Wide Z.E., Recycling Lives’ electric skip loaders are backed by Renault Trucks’ battery performance promise, which guarantees the power available to operate electric vehicles for up to ten years.