TIP launches used truck division
TIP has launched a used truck sales division in Warrington
News - George Barrow
July 5, 2023
Don’t ever let it be said that electric vehicles can’t tow, as Volvo has just delivered an electric truck for heavy haulage capable of a gross train weight of 74 tonnes.
Mattsson Åkeri has purchased three heavy haulage electric Volvo FH trucks that is being used in the port area of Arendal in Gothenburg, Sweden. The truck is being used with two trailers at 32m and a gross combination weight of 74 tonnes and on a 12 hour per day shift.
“We want to show that all-electric solutions also work in applications with high total weights and a high utilisation rate. Together with Mattsson Åkeri, the Swedish Transport Administration and several other partners, we are now looking at how we can optimise the operation of the electric truck, including how charging should take place in the most efficient way,” explained Lena Larsson, Volvo high-capacity-transport project manager.
The electric truck being tested is a Volvo FH Electric 6X4. In the long term, the truck will run between Gothenburg and the city of Borås, a 70 km journey, with and charging provided by 180kW chargers at the depot in Arendal.
“Driving long and heavy loads using electricity works very well so far, and we can carry as much cargo as a diesel truck,” said Jan-Olof Mattsson, CEO of Mattsson Åkeri.
“The truck runs 12 hours a day, with a stop for charging when the driver takes a break. We charge with green electricity and thus get no CO2 emissions. Silent, electric operation also means a better working environment for the driver.”
Europe has a number of high-capacity transport projects where high combination weight vehicles are allowed to travel at 34.5m lengths on most roads. Both Finland and Sweden are both operating vehicle are more than 70 tonnes with permission given from authorities to run truck combinations of up to 34.5m and 100tonnes on a defined road network.
