Kirby skips goes green with new Volvo trucks

Kirkby Skips has taken a huge step towards decarbonising its fleet of 18-tonne skiploaders with the delivery of five new Volvo FE Electric 4x2 rigids. The zero-tailpipe emission trucks replace five older diesel units in the business’ 20-strong commercial vehicle fleet.

The Liverpool-based firm has been buying Volvos since 2003 and opted to go down the electric route having been impressed with a demonstrator vehicle supplied by local dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials.

Peter Groves, director at Kirkby Skips, said:

We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon emissions, while also helping our customers achieve their Net Zero targets.

These new FE Electrics are ideal for our operations. The demonstrator was with us for a week and during that time it showed clearly that the range would be no issue, with our daily operations comfortably handled on one charge. The drivers were all complimentary about the handling and performance too and they are obviously far quieter to drive than the diesels they replace.

Each new FE Electric is mounted with Boughton Engineering skiploader bodywork, including sheeting system and remote control.

The power is delivered by two electric motors, generating a peak torque of 850Nm and driven by a two-speed transmission.

Equipped with three batteries, the FEs will charge overnight at the company’s depot, with each full charge offering a projected range of around 200km – perfect for the business’ local work collecting and delivering skips across Merseyside.

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