The electrification of road haulage will require the industry to rethink what the conventional tipper looks like, according to Volvo Trucks UK and Ireland product manager John Comer.
Volvo will offer its first zero tailpipe emissions tipper in the first quarter of 2023, and according to Comer it will be a Tridem. He explained that moving from double front axles will be necessary in order to free-up enough space on the chassis for the batteries.
Comer said another viable option might be switching from 8-leggers to 4x2 tractors, pulling short compact trailers.
“Another thing you may need to consider is whether you actually need double-drive,” he said, suggesting that a 6x2 rigid with a short drawbar trailer could also prove to be a popular electric option. He said this combination is already popular in Norway’s light construction sector, where it has proved to work.
“The construction sector will need a complete re-evaluation as we work out how to get maximum payload with zero emissions,” he said.
