Yorkshire firm partners with Volvo to create first-of-its-kind fully electric gritter

The Electric Quick Change Body (E-QCB) vehicle has been developed as a zero-emissions solution for councils and businesses, aimed at reducing carbon footprint and noise pollution.

Steve Sinnott, Econ Engineering’s UK Sales Manager, said: “I think in business we’ve all got to take responsibility for our carbon output and our effect on the environment, not just here in the UK but across the world.

“Yes, there is a financial implication, but there's a bigger implication to us if we don't make that change and make that step, and there's no point in councils and businesses paying lip service to a carbon net zero target and not looking at ways of reaching that.

“We want to be at the forefront of it to show that it does work, and that's exactly what we’ve done.”

The first Volvo FE E-QCB was unveiled this week at the Econ stand at Cold Comfort 2023 in Harrogate, a specialist conference and exhibition dedicated to winter highway maintenance services.

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ Engineering, said: “We’re excited to finally introduce the E-QCB to the market with Volvo. We have spent a long time developing the new E-QCB, undertaking comprehensive redesigns and trialling it, to ensure that we can offer a fully electric solution for our customers that can be used all-year round.

“We are committed to continuing to evolve our Zero Range, and other renewable energy innovations, as the UK’s infrastructure develops in support of this.”

The prototype features Econ’s demountable bodywork, which uses hydraulic rams to enable the vehicle to switch from gritting to tipping in just 15 minutes, thanks to a choice of different body options developed in-house by Econ.

Christian Coolsaet, managing director of Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said: “Every part of the transport sector needs to have its sights set on achieving net zero, and gritting and snow ploughing is no exception.

“The team at Econ has developed an exceptional new product with our FE Electric chassis at its heart; this is going to allow gritter fleets to reap the benefits of operating cleaner, quieter and more efficient trucks.”

The new vehicle is set to be the first in the new ‘Econ Zero’ range created by the Ripon-based firm.