Bristol, UK: Chilled food supplier Reynolds is using Fraikin to help electrify its fleet.
The first of 24 electric trucks has joined the fleet on a five-year, full-service contract hire agreement. The new 7.5-tonne temperature-controlled rigid is on an Isuzu chassis adapted by electric drivetrain specialist, Magtec, with a bespoke body from Paneltex.
The new Isuzu joins a 212 mixed vehicle fleet, replacing an older diesel truck on multi-drop delivery routes around Bristol and Bath. The truck saves around 550kg of CO2 emissions a week. Over the next three years the plan is for it to be joined by a further 23 electric vehicles, ranging from 4.5-tonne vans to a 37-tonne Daf tractor.
Steve White, head of national fleet, Reynolds, says: “Improving the sustainability of our fleet by making the shift to electric has been a long-term plan for the business, but we needed a partner capable of supporting us on that journey.
“Fraikin met all the criteria we were looking for. They are ahead of the curve when it comes to alternative-fuelled options, with unrivalled industry experience and product knowledge combined with a level of flexibility that helped us to take the first step. We have grand plans moving forward with them from here.”
The business opted for its Bristol depot as the base for the new truck as the varied delivery routes provide a good testing ground for range and performance. The vehicle has a 140-mile range from a single charge and covers over six days a week, between 90 and 100 miles a day.
Although comparisons between the total cost of operation compared to the diesel truck it replaced are difficult to accurately measure, the seven-hour overnight charge required to replenish the battery each night has more than halved weekly fuel costs.
“We believe electric to be the future, so have invested in the charging infrastructure required to support our plans. We’ve factored in the relevant costs involved and we know that the fuel savings will deliver a return on that investment over time. That said, cost-saving has never been the priority for us, this is about leading the charge toward a greener future,” White says.
As the company’s electric vehicle partner, Fraikin will help Reynolds to place 10 new 4.5-tonne vans, 10 more 7.5-tonne trucks, a 26-tonne and 19-tonne rigid, and the all-electric Daf tractor into operation by 2025, spread across its seven depots in Bristol, Bury St Edmunds, Coalville, Grangemouth, Leeds, Newbury, and Stockport.
Reynolds will rely on Fraikin for all repair, maintenance and servicing on the new vehicle, using the company’s expertise in the new technology and its national network of workshops.
