Trucks
Responsible for more than 43,000 km of the UK’s highway network – one of the largest specialist highway maintenance portfolios in the country – Ringway’s work sees it operate across the strategic road network, Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) motorways and trunk roads, as well as the local authority network.
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The Volvo FE Electric provided an ideal platform to create a first-of-its-kind vehicle
in the UK and yet again lead the way to continue our transition from diesel fuel.
Ringway’s Volvo FE Electric directly replaces a similarly sized diesel vehicle in the Hounslow fleet, unlocking an immediate sustainability benefit.
Ringway has also become the first UK company to place an order for a right-hand drive version of Volvo’s brand-new FM Low Entry all-electric truck – the manufacturer’s first-ever electric-only vehicle – which has already been awarded a five-star DVS rating.
Mitesh Solanki, Managing Director at Ringway, says: “With sustainability becoming more and more important in our sector, we are eager to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles throughout our business.
“Having assessed the options on the market, we quickly concluded that a bespoke build would offer us the most flexibility. The Volvo FE Electric provided an ideal platform to create a first-of-its-kind vehicle in the UK and yet again lead the way to continue our transition from diesel fuel.”
The Volvo FE Electric – supplied by Ian Sharrock, Key Account Manager, Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East – will immediately grab attention thanks to the rigid’s bright yellow, bespoke-built Thompsons body.
To satisfy the business’ DVS requirements, the vehicle also combines an FE low entry cab and features bus-style doors, plus an array of cameras to grant drivers maximum visibility of their immediate surroundings, while also allowing them to easily enter and exit the vehicle.
Ringway’s FE Electric utilises three batteries and a twospeed transmission, offering a smooth and comfortable driving experience largely thanks to a unique traction control system which is designed to master even slippery surfaces. Different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels.
Ringway’s new rigid can expect a diverse workload while under contract with the London Borough of Hounslow. Across 451 km of the local highways, Ringway undertakes routine, reactive, and cyclical highway maintenance on Hounslow streets. This includes 45 bridges and highway structures, 16,000 streetlights, 16,000 drainage assets and 11,000 trees as well as emergency response, street cleansing, and winter and severe weather service operations.
The truck has been deployed on various highway and street service works, with its work ranging from clearing waste bays and transporting inert waste to recycling centres, delivering recycled materials, and responding to emergencies. The vehicle will operate up to seven days a week and completing more than 30,000 km annually in the London Borough.
“Working within London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone, we’re fully confident the rigid will not just meet, but exceed Hounslow Highway’s expectations, delivering practical and environmentally conscious operational performance with absolutely zero tailpipe emissions, ” adds Solanki. “This forms part of Ringway’s commitment to support Hounslow Highways with its green agenda and aspirations to improve air quality, encourage biodiversity and green spaces, and applying innovations to reduce carbon impact.”