Allports Group supplies three Renault T520 Highs to Weaver Haulage
The trucks will be used to pull bulk powder tankers
Dealer - Commercial Motor
March 26, 2024
After a successful trial period, Lenham Storage has added two Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor units to its fleet. Supplied by Steve Moon, truck sales director at MC Truck & Bus, the vehicles will be put to work on multi-drop deliveries inside the M25.
Andrew Fulcher, transport operations director at Lenham Storage, said: “As a business, we have always tried to be at the forefront of the latest trends and technologies when it comes to greener alternative fuels.
“Many of our customers operate in the food and retail sectors, with ambitious targets in terms of cutting carbon emissions across their supply-chain, which ties in well with our own strategy and ethos. We are already running two Volvo FH gas-powered tractor units and are very happy to have taken the next step with these electric FMs.”
The trucks are fitted with the maximum of six batteries which deliver around 300km of range. Three electric motors create 666hp and 2400Nm of torque. Given the vehicles operate in and around London it was key for Lenham Storage to acquire these trucks which have three-star DVS ratings. At the company’s Maidstone depot the FMs will be charged overnight at a 43kW AC point.
Fulcher added: “The response we’ve had from our drivers has been really positive. One of the guys has been with us for 23 years and he said the main thing he noticed when getting back in a diesel, after a few days driving the electric, was the noise and vibrations. It’s obviously a big change but the electrics are very nice to drive.
“Overall, we’re very happy with how they have settled in. The range is delivering everything we were promised so far, and they are returning to the depot with plenty of life left in the battery. We’re keen to push them even further too with some more general haulage work.”
The vehicles are on a Volvo gold repair and maintenance contract. This includes battery and associated electric powertrain component monitoring.
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