R Swain and Sons has put a Volvo FM Electric 4x2 into operation following a review to identify where electric variants can be introduced to boost sustainability.
The tractor unit will work exclusively on the haulage company’s contract with CPI books, which involves supplying the printer with 120,000 tonnes of materials each year.
It will operate out of CPI’s depot in Lordswood, Kent and cover around 100 miles a day before returning back to base to recharge overnight. Replacing a diesel truck, it is projected to save 75 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
James Wyatt, Swain group operations director, said: “Volvo Trucks invited us to Sweden for a presentation of its electric technology and we were very impressed.
“Where there is the opportunity to provide these new technologies, we are very open and willing to do that.
“Electric trucks are here now and can work, commercially, very well on certain applications.
He added: “We’ve worked closely with CPI and Volvo to get this electric tractor unit into operation, and it has been a huge success.”
The haulier said CPI had been working with it for three years in order to move towards net zero and it would be adding more electric trucks across the group in the future.
