Knowles Logistics grows Volvo electric fleet

Following the delivery of a 19-tonne Volvo FE Electric rigid last year, Knowles Logistics has replaced three more diesel trucks with new Volvo FM Electric 4x2 tractor units. The new vehicles will be paired with tri-axle curtainside trailers to operate at 42-tonne GVW. Working on a longstanding job with Princes Limited, the trucks will run between Princes’ manufacturing sites and Knowles’ warehousing facilities within a 10 mile radius. 

The trucks will use 100% clean electricity with around 15% supplied by on-site solar panels. Annually, the FM Electrics are expected to save 260-tonnes of CO2. Charging will take place on site at 150kW chargers with regular charging during driver breaks. This will allow the vehicles to be double shifted to work 24/7. 

Supplied by key account manager, Alan Didwell, at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East, the centre also provided driver coaching for the new electric units. The FMs have five batteries and are expected to cover up to 80,000km every year. Knowles Logistics opted for a four-year Volvo Gold Contract. 

Alex Knowles, managing director of Knowles Logistics, said: “Acquiring the FE Electric last year gave us immediate confidence that we could bring electric vehicles into our fleet, in the right application. As one of the fastest growing transport providers in the country, this is a great milestone on our sustainability journey. This latest investment is a clear demonstration of how we work with customers to reduce the carbon footprint of their logistics operations.

“What we’ve been able to achieve with these FM Electrics is nothing short of impressive. They perform as direct replacements for diesel vehicles on a factory clearance application, with fast charging meaning they stop for very short periods whilst topping up. What’s more, by carefully planning our loading configuration, we can take full advantage of being able to operate at 42-tonnes on five axles. This is a weight-critical application, and we’re pretty much hitting the same payload figures as a diesel truck achieves.”