Shepparton-based, FOOTT, designed and built a recycling and processing facility in September 2023. The regional Victorian company is now taking a big step towards the future of sustainable transport, with the trial of a Volvo FE electric waste truck.
This initiative has been made possible through the collaboration and expertise of CMV Truck & Bus Shepparton and Volvo Trucks Australia.
The business is continually evolving and finding new and better ways to manage waste and divert more recyclable resources away from landfills.
We have always been committed to innovation to reduce our environmental impacts. At FOOTT we have invested in new technology, equipment and infrastructure and developed new processes to enable us to continually improve our service offerings to customers
Andrew Yeoland, FOOTT Chief Executive Officer.
This is the first rear loader electric waste truck to be in operation in a regional location in Australia, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable transportation in the regional waste management sector.
The electric trucks by Volvo offer a number of benefits, including zero emissions, reduced noise pollution, and lower operating costs compared to traditional diesel trucks.
This three-axle 6×2 truck is perfect for waste collection and has been fitted with a 16 cubic metre waste body and utilises four Gen 2 batteries with a capacity of 265KWh and has a potential range of up to 220 kilometres. FOOTT is exploring the potential use of electric trucks for council kerbside collections, and for short-haul transport, where feasible.
While 220km may not sound like a lot when you compare it to your passenger car, the range profile required is very different. These trucks regularly take the same known route that fits within this distance and the weight transported is significantly more than passenger vehicles, which explains the modest range and large battery.
CMV Truck & Bus Shepparton have played a pivotal role in facilitating this trial by offering technical expertise and support. To help make the next month a success, CMV Truck & Bus used Volvo’s proprietary Electronic Range Simulation Tool (ERS) to ensure the team from FOOTT was completely up to speed on all aspects of the trial, including range, charging and route mapping.
We want to make sure that the truck functions the same way a normal garbage truck should function and so far the results have been very, very positive.
Foott chief executive Andrew Yeoland
It may be a stepping stone for us to put the whole fleet in and around electric in the future. That’s the vision and what we’d like to look at from a longer term perspective.
FOOTT values key collaborations, and together with CMV Truck & Bus and Volvo Trucks is aiming to minimise their environmental impact and set a new standard for sustainable practices in regional markets.
Further information at ABC and FOOTT.
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