Aberdeen-based waste and recycling specialist A&M Smith Recycling has added an 18-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide to its fleet – the company’s first fully-electric skip wagon.
The new 4×2 rigid, equipped with four battery packs and a Palfinger skip loader body, is based at the company’s Bankhead Recycling Centre just south of Aberdeen.
It is being deployed on local skip deliveries and collections throughout the city and surrounding area, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers.
The Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide is working on carefully selected routes in and around Aberdeen, returning to A&M Smith’s depot for overnight charging.
Its quiet operation makes it particularly well suited to residential collections and early-morning work, where reduced vehicle noise benefits customers and householders.
A&M Smith already operates a 12-tonne electric forklift and has installed charging points for plug-in electric vehicles.
It is also progressing its plans for the installation of a one-megawatt wind turbine with battery storage, for the generating and storing of the energy required to power its vehicles, plant and equipment on site.
The skip wagon is backed by a three-year repair and maintenance package.
Scott Smith, Owner of A&M Smith Recycling, said, “We have been looking seriously at how we reduce our reliance on diesel across the business and make further progress towards decarbonising our operations.
“Putting our first electric skip wagon – the Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide – on the road is an important step.
“This zero tail pipe emissions vehicle will have a dramatic impact on our Scope 1 emissions, as well as the benefits of the Scope 3 impacts on our offshore services customers.”
