IVECO and Electra have started producing electric Eurocargos

IVECO, in collaboration with Skelmersdale-based eHGV converters Electra, has started producing Eurocargo glider chassis at its factory in Brescia, Italy.

Available from 7.5- up to 19-tonnes, the electrified rigids can be specified with two power outputs; a 350kw electric motor with 3,400Nm of torque, or a 260kW version with 2,060Nm of torque.

Hauliers have a choice of lithium-ion batteries too; 140kWh, 205kWh, 225kWh and 287kWh. IVECO says these provide ranges “suitable for most urban applications”. The manufacturer has only issued the charging time for the 205kWh variant so far - five hours when plugged into a 44kWh power source.

According to Electra and NRG fleet services’ chairman, Sid Sadique, the company chose to convert Eurocargo’s because they’re “perfectly suited to electrification and offers maximum bodybuilding flexibility”.

He said: “We have received a lot of interest from customers because the Eurocargo has such wide appeal in the market. It’s a truck most fleets and bodybuilders are already familiar with and is perfect for everything from dry to temperature-controlled multi-drop urban distribution, to highways maintenance and even refuse collection applications.”

Two of the first converted vehicles, Electra SEIV 19-350 4x2 rigids fitted with Paneltex temperature controlled box body and a Bucher Municipal salt spreader, are being used by IVECO as demonstrators. Guest/Sherwood Truck and Van are the preferred supplier of the vehicles. After a recent demonstration event at Winsford, Nick Pemberton, business development director at Guest Sherwood, said: “The feedback has been incredible and has really made the last two years worthwhile. We have had high hopes for this truck since the inception of the original idea, but the interest generated over these three days has blown us away. All of our test drivers have come to us because they want to see what the future holds and everyone has left impressed.”

Sadique said: “Since adding the Eurocargo to our range interest has spiralled and we can’t build them quickly enough. This is the perfect medium-weight truck for city deliveries and we’re confident we’ve created a game-changing commercial vehicle fit for the future.”