The first Volvo FM Electric for a builders’ merchant in the UK has been delivered to Joseph Parr (Alco) in Bradford, signalling a significant move towards sustainable transport solutions within the industry.
- This landmark delivery is backed by a grant from Bradford City Council, reflecting the city’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
- Equipped with a powerful four-battery setup, the Volvo FM Electric demonstrates the potential of electric vehicles in heavy-duty applications.
- The transition from diesel to electric power offers not only environmental benefits but also a slight payload advantage, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Joseph Parr (Alco), part of the historic Joseph Parr Group, is positioning itself as a leader in adopting forward-thinking green technology.
Joseph Parr (Alco) has received what is believed to be the first Volvo FM Electric truck to be utilised by a builders’ merchant in the UK. Operating primarily from Bradford, this vehicle is part of the firm’s initiative to carry out customer deliveries using sustainable transport solutions. This transition from diesel vehicles to an electric variant marks a pivotal step in curbing emissions, especially backed by Bradford City Council’s grant and data-driven oversight.
The Volvo FM Electric boasts a robust four-battery configuration, providing it with ample power to replace a diesel counterpart in a fleet of five HGV delivery trucks. Built on a 5,200mm wheelbase, this rear steer tag axle model comes fitted with a Palfinger BM 26 crane and generates 450 horsepower through its two electric motors, maintaining a substantial 28-tonne gross vehicle weight. Michael Beaumont, joint Managing Director at Joseph Parr (Alco), has expressed the importance of staying ahead in adopting new technologies as industry regulations continue to evolve, citing Volvo Trucks as an evident leader in electrification.
This vehicle represents a calculated strategic shift to electric power, not only environmentally progressive but also economically advantageous due to the new configuration’s payload capacity. Beaumont highlights, ‘Despite the additional weight of the batteries, we actually see a slight payload advantage over the traditional 26-tonne diesel trucks we run.’ This advantage is crucial as vehicles reach full payload capacity on every route, ensuring operational efficiency is maintained or even enhanced.
Beyond serving Bradford, Joseph Parr (Alco) plans to utilise the FM Electric across various locations, including Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax, and Manchester. This strategic deployment across key areas underscores the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while meeting logistical demands. As a branch of the larger Joseph Parr Group, which started in 1883, this move reaffirms the company’s stance as a pioneering force among independent builders’ merchants in terms of sustainability.
The introduction of the Volvo FM Electric at Joseph Parr (Alco) exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to sustainability in the transport sector.
