Reed Boardall has turned to Volvo Trucks for two new 42-tonne FM Electric 4×2 tractor
units, marking the customer’s latest step in decarbonising its transport operations with
alternative fuel products from the Swedish manufacturer.
Joining an all Volvo-supplied 200-strong commercial vehicle fleet – of which a quarter
already consists of gas-powered trucks – the FM Electrics will work together to create a
24/7 zero-tailpipe emission operation. After extensive route planning and consideration of
the best utilisation of the trucks, they have been assigned to a local collection shuttle,
bringing stock in to store at Reed Boardall’s Boroughbridge site.
Stevland Town, Managing Director – Transport, Reed Boardall, says: “Sustainability is an
issue close to our hearts, hence why we’ve been so proactive in welcoming non -fossil fuel
Volvos onto the fleet already. And, with electric technology progressing so rapidly, we were
eager to introduce an electric model into the business at the earliest opportunity.
“Electric trucks are not a one-size-fits-all solution in our industry but there is potential to
successfully deploy this technology within certain parameters. With Volvo’s help, we were
able to quickly identify a suitable route and the early results we’ve seen have far surpassed
our expectations as it has proved possible to get an efficient number of trips out of the
batteries.”
The FM Electrics both feature three electrical motors, generating an output of 666 hp and
2,400 Nm of continuous torque, paired with a standard I-Shift gearbox to deliver a smooth
and ultra-quiet in-cab driving experience.
This impressive performance is handled by an electromobility traction control system to help
manage power output on slippery surfaces, while different drive modes are available to set
the desired performance, comfort, and energy usage levels.
The vehicles have already received great reviews from Reed Boardall’s drivers, in part
courtesy of the vehicles’ full air suspension and a Drive++ package, which adds dual
armrests, leather upholstery and fully electronic air conditioning with sun, mist, air quality
sensors and a carbon filter – ensuring premium driver comfort.
“When we first told the drivers that they were moving into an electric truck, there wasn’t an
entirely positive response,” adds Town. “However, even after just a couple of days, they had
all been totally converted. The feedback we’ve had is that they are a total pleasure to drive,
so much so that they say they would not want to go back to driving a diesel truck.
“Volvo’s driver training was a big part of that success. Its team helped make the transition
as smooth as possible and ensured we are operating these vehicles with maximum
efficiency.”
Both trucks are fully backed by Volvo, including comprehensive five-year Volvo Gold
Contracts to guarantee maximum uptime. This includes preventative maintenance and
repairs, plus the monitoring of key systems including batteries and other critical
components.
Ian Middleton, Managing Director at Crossroads says: “Crossroads Truck and Bus has been
supplying vehicles to Reed Boardall for circa 15 years, and it is a privilege to be alongside
them as they embark on the next chapter of their sustainability journey. By being a leader
and investing in making the shift by leveraging Volvo Trucks’ latest e-mobility technology,
Reed Boardall has taken charge of the change.”
From its beginnings as a single cold storage facility, family business Reed Boardall has
grown to be the UK’s largest single-site cold storage operation, with its base in
Boroughbridge capable of storing more than 168,000 pallets of frozen produce at any one
time.
