Dairy and chilled food distributor West Horsley Dairy (WHD) has ordered a new 11.9-tonne range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) from Tevva Motors. The Surrey-based, FORS Gold-accredited firm will use the truck to deliver a range of dairy products and other foods to central London.
The REEV, due for delivery late this year, will be based on an Avia chassis and will feature a range of electrification technologies, including bespoke battery packs and management system, electric motor and range extender. It will join a 42-strong fleet that already includes some hybrid trucks.
It will be powered by an electric motor producing a maximum output of 150kW (201hp) and maximum torque of 650Nm, supported by an 80kWh battery. The range extender uses a 1.6-litre diesel engine in one of three modes – low noise, high efficiency and high power – to provide 12kW, 35kW or 60kW respectively to the battery.
Tevva said the vehicle, which will be bodied by Jackson Coachworks of Loughborough and will feature a eutectic refrigeration system, would have a range of approximately 150km, with the range extender potentially allowing up to 120km beyond that.
It is expected to operate at its maximum GVW of 11,990kg and to cover around 150km a day.
WHD MD Philip Colton said: “Although not driven by customer requests, there has been a constant demand to know what extra dimension to our own sustainability WHD could add to that of our customers, and a zero-emission vehicle fits that perfectly.
“We are looking to reduce our carbon footprint but also drive down the cost per mile of running our vehicles. The USP of the Tevva solution is its delivery range over other entrants to the EV market, even from mainline manufacturers. That has been a key factor for us because our main depot is outside London.”
