Dawsongroup’s EMC and civil sectors business is expanding its fleet with the addition of over 100 new Volvo trucks this year, including seven electric models. This move aims to provide customers with immediate access to zero tailpipe emission heavy goods vehicles.
Among the new additions are four Volvo FMX Electric 6x2 vacuum tankers and three Volvo FE Electric 4x2 medium volume combinations (MVCs) designed for gully, mainline sewerage, and drain work. These vehicles, equipped with bodywork from Whale Tankers, form a significant part of Dawsongroup EMC’s extensive order, which also includes more than 90 diesel models with various configurations such as sweepers, hotboxes, skip loaders, hook loaders, and vacuum tankers.
“Customers want to discuss carbon reduction targets for all areas of their business. We knew the right thing to do was to demonstrate the capabilities of electric trucks by building these examples and offering them on contract hire,” explained Paul Beddows, Director of Sales at Dawsongroup EMC.
The process of selecting the right specifications for these vehicles involved collaboration with Volvo, including a visit to Gothenburg to evaluate the product and refine the details. Ian Sharrock, Key Account Manager for Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East, noted that the new vehicles are well-suited for local and regional operations where Charging can be done overnight with an AC Charger or in under 2.5 hours with a DC fast-charger.
Beddows highlighted that these specialist vehicles are particularly suitable for electrification as they typically operate within specific areas, reducing the need for long-range travel. The Volvo FMX Electrics are equipped with six batteries, providing 540kWh of capacity, while the smaller Volvo FE Electric MVCs have three batteries, offering 270kWh of capacity. Ancillary equipment on these vehicles is powered by an ePTO or a gearbox-driven PTO.
Volvo Trucks conducted range and energy simulations with Dawsongroup EMC, taking into account typical daily mileages and the energy required for ancillary equipment. This preparatory work ensures that the trucks are optimally deployed within fleets to maximise their impact on reducing carbon footprints.
“This preparation was crucial,” Beddows explained. “Even though the trucks were not assigned to specific operations initially, our data and Volvo’s calculations allow us to match them with fleets where they can be most effective in reducing emissions.”
