These electric vehicles, designed with an incredibly short wheelbase (3330 mm), are the first in the industry in their weight class in the UK.
Well-suited for food waste collections, the 12.5-tonne eCargo has been designed with the operator in mind, and Electra revolutionised the layout and configuration to combat downtime and maintenance for operators.
Electra's approach means it can build a platform suited to any operation and application due to the scalable modular configuration. Electra is not tied to just one chassis or body manufacturer, so the customer can create a truck to bespoke requirements.
The 12.5-tonne eCargo features a class-leading payload with a body and allowance of 7900 kg. With 140 kWh of battery capacity and thermally managed batteries, this truck can operate in -30- and +50- degree climates and has a range of up to 250 km. It also has a 150 KW DC fast charge capability, meaning this eHGV can be double-shifted or exceed its range by over 100 miles in under an hour.
Electra’s vehicles come with an eight-year battery warranty and have V2L capability meaning the trucks can charge other vehicles or supply 3-phase power for events.
Electra had initially built a trial 12.5-tonne eCargo that has been on demonstration for over a year throughout the country with a kerbside recycling body fitted. This proved a great success with the operators due to the platform's capabilities and effortless driveability.
Ben Smith, MD, of Electra Commercial Vehicles, commented: ‘The eCargo is the perfect solution to meet the requirements of the Government's new food waste collections regulations nationwide, producing zero-emissions and with a lead-time of under a year.
‘We offer strategic solutions for every waste application. We are the first to build electric waste collection vehicles in the 12.5-tonne weight range and size.
‘We recognised that the configuration of different body types significantly impacts the truck's size, design, and battery size and layout while also requiring an EPTO – all packed into a very short wheelbase. We are delighted that we can now offer our clients zero-emission trucks suited to small and busy roads in city centres and narrow precincts, ideally suited for the stringent demands of operations in ultra-low-emissions zones.’
Basildon Council recently acquired the first fleet of seven 12.5-tonne Electra eCargo food waste vehicles fitted with a Hillend Engineering Micro XHD body, which went into service in April 2023. The fleet has been received an innovative contract hire agreement with full service and maintenance from NRG Riverside.
