Essex-based Burnt Mills Tyres has marked its 30th anniversary by introducing its first fully electric vehicles.

Three new Renault Trucks E-Tech Master panel vans have joined the Burnt Mills Tyres fleet

Three new Renault Trucks E-Tech Master L2H2 panel vans will provide the company’s on-site and roadside tyre fitting services. The new vans will clock up between 50 and 100 miles a day, with local trips in and out of the depot in Basildon where the vehicles will also be charged.

Will Bray, managing director of Burnt Mills Tyres, said: “Over the years, we’ve relied on Renault Trucks for their unmatched reliability and cost-effectiveness. Our long-standing relationship with the sales team at Norfolk Truck and Van, especially with Peter Thirkettle, played a significant role in our decision. I value working with people I know and trust, and Renault Trucks has always been our ‘go-to’ manufacturer for the demands of our business.”

The Renault Trucks E-Tech Master, equipped with a 52kWh lithium-ion battery, has a claimed real-life range of up to 120 miles on a single charge.

The vehicles have also been specified with an additional split battery charging system to operate the on-board tyre fitting machines.

The new E-Tech Masters are additionally kitted out with Burnt Mills Tyres’ refreshed version of its ‘Burnie the Hedgehog’ logo, introduced to commemorate its 30th anniversary. It’s displayed along with a sticker that reads ‘No diesel engines left in this vehicle overnight’ in a nod to the company’s switch to electric vehicles and its commitment to a greener future.

Burnt Mills Tyres’ investment in its first electric vehicles marks a pivotal step in the company’s sustainability journey.

Bray concluded: “Even though we are a small company, this project has inspired us to become more efficient and greener. These are our first EVs, and it’s an exciting time. I’m confident that our fleet will double in the next few years and that we will become 100% electric.”