Speedy Services has taken delivery of its first two battery-powered trucks, expanding its investment in electric solutions.

Fleet director Aaron Powell with one of Speedy Services’ first Fuso eCanter electric delivery trucks

The tool and equipment hire specialist already runs some 150 electric vans on its fleet and said the new zero-emission Fuso eCanters would further its work on a sustainable customer delivery model.

The trucks are being used to transport products to customers; one from a depot near Whitehaven, Cumbria, which supplies contractors working at the Sellafield former nuclear power and fuel reprocessing site, and the other located at a branch in Warrington, where it serves a client base comprised largely of building firms.

The Fuso eCanters were chosen following a review of the market.

Fleet director Aaron Powell explained: “There are battery-electric alternatives available, but these are either aftermarket conversions or vehicles that are very new. The eCanter, by contrast, is a factory-built truck that is already well proven in operation and comes with a bumper-to-bumper warranty.

“Driveline aside, it’s also very similar to the diesel-engined Canters that have been providing reliable and cost-efficient service on our fleet for many years.”

Powell added that while the company works to be environmentally responsible on an ethical basis, it’s also responding to growing customer expectations.

“Increasingly, large corporate customers are demanding that every business in their supply chains should take all available measures to operate as sustainably as possible. In our case that means investing in electric vans and trucks, so the eCanter is likely to feature prominently in our plans for the future.”

The new eCanters have been supplied on a contract hire deal with Daimler Truck Financial Services and fitted with plant-carrying platform bodies by Bevan Group, using dropsides incorporating its Safe-T-Drop system.

The eCanter’s electric drivetrain employs six 13.8kWh lithium-ion batteries with a total power output of 82.8kWh. The permanent-magnet motor delivers 189hp via a single-gear transmission in the rear axle. ‘Effective’ operating range stands at more than 62 miles.

The new vehicles join Speedy’s 1,000-plus fleet, which includes 50 trucks with 7.5-tonnes GVW, more than half of which are Canters.

“With an exceptionally high body and payload allowance, compact footprint and tight turning circle, the diesel Canter has proved to be well suited to our demands,” continued Powell. “The battery-powered version combines the same advantages with a smooth and quiet electric driveline that requires no gearchanges so is even easier and more comfortable to drive.

“Factor in the impressive build quality, reliability and aftersales back-up that we’ve come to expect from the brand, and it’s easy to see why we’re delighted with our first eCanters.”