Biffa invest in new Volvo electric skiploader

01 December, 2023

Biffa’s new Volvo FE Electric rigid skip loader is part of ongoing ambitions to improve their fleet sustainability

Nationwide waste-management firm takes delivery of Volvo FE Electric 4x2 rigid

BIFFA, one of the UK’s leading waste-management companies, are to put their first electric skiploader into service, with a new 18-tonne Volvo FE Electric 4x2 rigid bringing zero tailpipe emission operation to the Isle of Wight.

The arrival of the FE Electric forms part of an order for 104 brand-new Biffa vehicles from Volvo Trucks, being deployed across the UK as part of a major fleet modernization programme.

Anthony Holley, fleet and facilities director at Biffa, commented: ‘As a business we have more than a century’s worth of experience in helping our customers keep their environment clean, and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Central to this is the transition of our fleet to alternative fuels and naturally we wanted to be among the first fleets to gain real-world experience of operating an electric truck.

‘The support from Volvo Trucks has been fantastic – they’ve had the answers for us at every stage and the suitability and performance of the FE Electric for this application is already clear to see.’

The Volvo FE Electric is equipped with Boughton Engineering skiploader bodywork and is powered by two electric motors, generating a peak torque of 850Nm and driven by a two-speed transmission, offering a smooth driving experience.

The power is handled by a unique traction control system developed to cope with slippery surfaces, while different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels. Equipped with four batteries, the Volvo electric skiploader offers a range of approximately 190km and can be recharged in just 2-3h with the use of a 150kW DC charger.

Hannah Burgess, director of new vehicles sales at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said: ‘The Biffa team have incredibly high standards for what they require from any vehicle entering their fleet, and the FE Electric ticked all the boxes and is ideally suited to this application. It’s great to see another Volvo electric truck entering service with a major fleet.’