Highways maintenance firm Ringway has become Volvo Truck’s first UK customer to take delivery of its electric FM Low Entry model, purpose-built for city operations.
Ringway has selected two of the new models to replace older diesel trucks in its fleet of more than 2,000 commercial vehicles.
One is an 8x2 Tridem, riding on full air suspension and with Thompsons tipper-grab bodywork, to support Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Works for London highways maintenance operations.
It is joined by an FM Low Entry 4x2 featuring a Thompsons dropside body, also for operation on the TfL contract.
It will be used to undertake street lighting operations across the capital.
Columns will be removed and lifted into position using a Palfinger crane mounted at the front of the load bed. The bespoke bodywork features rear-stepped entry and the ability to load up to six lighting columns over the cab roof – the same number as the diesel truck it replaces.
Mitesh Solanki, Ringway MD, said: “Given our focus on safety, innovation and climate adaptation, the FM Low Entry met all our expectations.
“Initially we’ve chosen two very different applications for these new models and we’ll be putting both vehicles through their paces to help us better understand future fleet configurations.
Both new trucks will operate from Ringway’s depot in East London, with the 8x2 available to work either day or night shifts, stopping to re-charge back at base. The 4x2 will work through the night, and recharge between shifts.
Solanki added: “There’s a perception that every truck travels hundreds of miles per day, but even over a full shift, the diesel trucks these replace were only covering, on average, around 50 miles.
“This makes them ideal applications for switching to electric. What’s more, the simulation data shows us that, even in the middle of winter, and with the crane operating at every drop, the range will only have dipped just below 50% by the time they return to the yard.”
