Electric Econ Engineering maintenance vehicle hits UK highways

Ringway has successfully introduced an electric highway maintenance vehicle to its fleet, supplied by Econ Engineering.

Following a positive trial period, Ringway purchased the E-QCB (Electric Quick Change Body) at the start of this year. The vehicle has been put to work across Hertfordshire. Ringway manages more than 43,300km of the UK’s highways network and has introduced electric vehicles within its fleet where possible.

Mitesh Solanki, managing director at Ringway, said: “Given the growing importance of the Environment in our sector, we are keen to promote the adoption of electric vehicles within our business where we can. After evaluating available options, we determined that the E-QCB solution on a Volvo 19-tonne chassis, would provide the greatest flexibility and emerged as an ideal platform, allowing us to pioneer a unique vehicle in the UK, further advance our learning in zero tailpipe emission commercial vehicles and transition away from diesel fuel.”

The E-QCB is a flexible solution that allows the bodywork to be switched between gritter, tipper or caged body modes in no more than 15 minutes by a single operative. Battery options are available to achieve the right balance between payload and range, with a range up to 170 miles. Charging can take less than two hours provided the operator has access to rapid charging facilities.

Jonathan Lupton, MD, said: “Econ has enjoyed a long-term strategic fleet partnership with Ringway and we were delighted when they took the bold decision to go electric with delivery of the very first E-QCB.

“Having been thoroughly tested and trialled over the last 18 months, we were confident that it would stand up to the every-day rigours of being put to use out on the UKs highways, but to receive such a ringing endorsement from Ringway is testament to the hard work and skill that our team has put into this project.”

Econ Engineering supplies more than 85% of the UK’s winter maintenance and highways vehicles including gritters, hot boxes and tippers.