Electra Commercial Vehicles, the Lancashire-based zero-emissions OEM, has introduced a new 12.5-tonne electric waste vehicle platform. The eCargo places an emphasis on compactness with short wheelbase of 3330mm, making it particularly well-suited for food waste collections.
With a body and payload allowance of 7900kg, it has a 140kWh battery capacity with a range of up to 250km. Rapid charging at up to 150kW on a DC fast charger will also add more than 100 miles in less than an hour.
The design of the eCargo enables efficient repair or replacement of significant parts within just 15 minutes with a modular platform adaptable to various operations and applications. Additionally, Electra is not bound to a single chassis or body manufacturer, enabling customers to create bespoke trucks according to their specific requirements.
Electra offers an eight-year battery warranty and V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability, allowing the trucks to charge other vehicles or provide three-phase power for events.
Electra has also conducted extensive trials of the 12.5-tonne eCargo, with a kerbside recycling body fitted, throughout the country for over a year.
Ben Smith, MD of Electra Commercial Vehicles, said: “‘The eCargo is the perfect solution to meet the requirements of the Government’s new food waste collections regulations nationwide, producing zero-emissions and with a lead-time of under a year. We offer strategic solutions for every waste application. We are the first to build electric waste collection vehicles in the 12.5-tonne weight range and size. We recognised that the configuration of different body types significantly impacts the truck’s size, design, and battery size and layout while also requiring an EPTO – all packed into a very short wheelbase. We are delighted that we can now offer our clients zero-emission trucks suited to small and busy roads in city centres and narrow precincts, ideally suited for the stringent demands of operations in ultra-low-emissions zones.”
Electra has partnered with Guest Motors to exclusively offer the eCargo in the UK. Guest Motors will distribute the full range of Electra commercial electric vehicles through its network of Guest Truck & Van and Sherwood Truck & Van dealerships.
Rob Spittle, MD of Guest, said: “It’s fantastic to see Electra pushing the boundaries with zero-emission vehicles that support day-to-day operations in our cities, meaning that there is an electric option for an ever-increasing range of applications. As a dealer for Electra, we are proud to be part of this innovative project supporting environmental changes.”
Basildon Council recently acquired the first fleet of seven 12.5-tonne Electra eCargo food waste vehicles, featuring a Hillend Engineering Micro XHD body.
These vehicles have been operational since April 2023 and were obtained through an innovative contract hire agreement that includes full service and maintenance from NRG Riverside.
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