Ripon firm Econ Engineering is launching its first electric gritter at a trade show in Harrogate today.
The Electric Quick Change Body has a demountable bodywork, which enables the vehicle to switch from gritting to tipping in 15 minutes.
Econ’s research and development team worked with Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland and truck dealer Crossroads to create the prototype, which is built on a 19-tonne Volvo FE Electric 4×2 chassis.
Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ, which is the UK’s leading manufacturer of winter maintenance and highways vehicles, said:
“We have spent a long time developing the new E-QCB, undertaking comprehensive redesigns and trialling it, to ensure that we can offer a fully electric solution for our customers that can be used all-year round.
“The vehicle operates best in urban environments, where daily mileage is typically less than some longer distance motorways or rural routes.
“As it is easy to switch body types with this model, customers can benefit from operating the vehicle all year-round.”
Econ supplies gritters to many local authorities, which are increasingly demanding green vehicles to meet zero-emission targets.
The gritter will be unveiled today on the Econ stand at the two-day winter highway maintenance conference Cold Comfort 2023 at Harrogate Convention Centre.
Christian Coolsaet, managing director of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said:
“Every part of the transport sector needs to have its sights set on achieving net zero, and gritting and snowploughing is no exception.
“The team at Econ has developed an exceptional new product with our FE Electric chassis at its heart; this is going to allow gritter fleets to reap the benefits of operating cleaner, quieter and more efficient trucks.”
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