Biffa partners with Volvo Trucks for the first electric skip loader rollout

The UK-based waste management company Biffa is set to deploy its inaugural electric skip loader, featuring a new Volvo electric 18-tonne 4×2, which will be introduced on the Isle of Wight.

As part of a comprehensive fleet modernisation initiative, Biffa has incorporated the electric skip loader into its fleet, consisting of 104 new vehicles from Volvo Trucks. 

The Volvo FE Electric, featuring Boughton Engineering skip loader bodywork propelled by dual electric motors, showcases advanced technology. Sporting four batteries, it boasts an impressive range of around 190km and a swift recharge time of 2.3 hours with a 150kW DC charger. Furthermore, the Biffa team can capitalize on mid-shift top-up charges, as the battery efficiently charges to 80 per cent capacity at an accelerated rate.

Anthony Holley, the Director of fleet and facilities at Biffa, said, “As a business, we have more than a century’s worth of experience in helping our customers keep their environment clean, and we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Central to this is the transition of our fleet to alternative fuels. Naturally, we wanted to be among the first fleets to gain real-world experience operating an electric truck."

“The support from Volvo Trucks has been fantastic: they have had the answers for us at every stage, and the suitability and performance of the FE Electric for this application is already clear. It offers significant potential as we transition more of the fleet to electric in line with our ‘Resourceful, Responsible’ sustainability strategy.”

Hannah Burgess, the Director of new vehicle sales at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said, “The Biffa team have incredibly high standards for what they require from any vehicle entering their fleet, and the FE Electric ticked all the boxes and is ideally suited to this application. It’s great to see another Volvo electric truck entering service with a major fleet.”

Based on AL Circle's discussions with numerous industry leaders, it has been identified that the primary demand driver for aluminium in 2024 will emanate from the transportation sector. Within this sector, electric vehicles are anticipated to emerge as the key catalyst, significantly influencing the demand dynamics for aluminium. If you are interested in learning more about aluminium's acceptance in the Transportation sector, please take a look at AL Circle's industry-focusing report, Future of Aluminium in Transporation Sector - An Industry Analysis with Forecasts to 2027."