Warehousing and distribution company Debach Enterprises has added a new Volvo FE Electric to its busy operations. The company’s first electric truck replaces a similar diesel unit, instantly cutting carbon emissions in a 40-strong commercial vehicle fleet.
The 4×2 rigid will be used for pallet deliveries in and around Ipswich. It was ordered following a detailed analysis of the service routes it would be working on by Debach’s local Volvo Truck dealer. Bee Kemball, Managing Director at Debach, says: “I had been invited to a recent demonstration day where I personally got behind the wheel of the full Volvo electric range and was really impressed with the technology. We were looking to replace one of our diesel rigids, and this FE Electric fitted the bill perfectly – offering us an ideal environmentally-friendly solution for this type of urban work.”
Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus South & East, the FE Electric is built on a 6,100 mm wheelbase, and has been specified with three batteries, offering an approximate driving range of up to 230 km, providing ample capacity to complete its day-to-day duties. As part of the Palletforce network, Debach will use its new zero tailpipe emission truck for up to 20 pallet deliveries per day.
“We have had a fast charger installed at our depot, and the trucks we use on these runs tend to return to base at lunchtime for second loads, so if we ever needed to top up the battery we can”, adds Kemball. “It really is an ideal choice for this type of pallet network operation. Both of our warehousing depots are virtually carbon neutral due to our large roof-mounted PV arrays and LED motion sensor lighting, so this was a natural step on our Net Zero journey to look at how EV trucks would fit within our HGV fleet operations”.
Equipped with curtainsider bodywork and a tail lift, the FE Electric has been liveried in the company’s black and white colours, with added green detailing highlighting its environmentally-friendly credentials. The vehicle will be seen each day completing pallet deliveries in Ipswich and the surrounding area, as part of the Palletforce Network, which Debach has been a member of for over 16 years. Safety is boosted further with Forward Collision Warning with emergency braking, Side Collision Avoidance Support, Driver Alert Support and Lane Keeping Support active safety systems.
Located 10 minutes from the Port of Felixstowe, Debach offers Third Party Logistics solutions with over 750,000 sq ft of warehousing, specialising in BRC grade food products and bonded goods backed supported with state of the art WMS systems and dedicated teams.
