The Electric Quick Change Body (E-QCB) 19-tonne Volvo FE gritter is the first completely electric vehicle of its kind, according to Yorkshire-based manufacturer Econ Engineering.

The E-QCB enables the vehicle’s bodywork to be switched between gritter, tipper or caged body modes in a transformation that takes no longer than 15 minutes, the manufacturer said.

Ringway, which is responsible for looking after more than 50,000kms of the UK’s highways network, has a long-term strategic fleet partnership with Econ and is the first contractor to sign up to a deal for the E-QCB.

Econ Engineering managing director Jonathan Lupton said: ‘We are delighted to extend what is already a strong relationship with Ringway by adding the E-QCB to its fleet. We are confident the vehicle will continue to impress and that its benefits will soon result in more deals of this kind.’

The managing director of Volvo Trucks UK and Ireland, Christian Coolsaet, added: ‘The team at Econ has developed an exceptional new product with our FE Electric chassis at its heart; this is going to allow gritter fleets to reap the benefits of operating cleaner, quieter and more efficient trucks.’

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