Among the first in Europe
What weighs up to 50 tonnes, runs on electricity and will be carrying waste on a shuttle route through the capital? The answer is Ragn-Sells’ new electric articulated lorry.
This electric HGV is currently operating on the roads of Oslo. Ragn-Sells’ goal is for all its waste trucks and goods vehicles in future to operate on fossil-free power, and the company is now investing in more electric vehicles as part of its “Highway to EL” concept. The first electric waste truck attracted a lot of attention when it first started operating in Oslo city centre last summer, and now – less than one year later – it is being joined by a 50-tonne articulated lorry.
“To begin with, the electric truck will be operating on a shuttle route between Romerike waste processing plant (ROAF), and Fortum Oslo Varme’s energy recovery plant, but we want to look at other routes eventually. On this route it has an estimated range of 150 kilometres fully loaded, with 20-minute top-up charges each time it is loaded ensuring that it remains in operation all day,” says Lars Gravdahl, who is the logistics manager at Ragn-Sells.
Pioneers
Last year’s waste truck was the first of its kind, and Ragn-Sells is also one of the very first recycling companies to use an electric truck.
“It's great being one of the pioneers in this field, but for us the most important thing is the “Highway to EL” concept. We are trying to introduce this technology into all areas of our operations, and we feel this is particularly important because of the business that we’re in,” says Lars.
New technology will make us better
“One of the most important goals with “Highway to EL” is that this new technology will make us better - not just more environmentally friendly. Our refuse truck has been working really well, but there have been some challenges in terms of planned range. The new electric truck is equipped with a supercharger with a 150 kW power supply, which means a really fast charging time,” he explains.
Ragn-Sells has also invested in a number of electric machines for use in its own facility, and this has proved to be an unqualified success.
“Stationary equipment means that you can run on connected current, or with access to a charging station in the immediate vicinity. We have a number of electric excavators and forklifts that have done wonders for the working environment,” says Lars.
Broad political support
The implementation of electric vehicles and electric machinery requires a lot of extra work because the technology is still new. Nevertheless, Ragn-Sells CEO in Norway, Bjørn Hoel, says that the future environmental gains make the risk worthwhile:
“Someone has to be first to take the plunge, and it may as well be us. It is an important signal that we, as a contributor to society, are setting about trying it out. At the same time, it does of course also have to be economically defensible. An electric goods vehicle is far more expensive than a diesel model,” says Bjørn.
The “Highway to EL” project is being financially supported by Enova, and Ragn-Sells has signed up to Oslo’s climate pact, as well as being a member of the Business for Climate network.
“There is broad political support for implementing this project. The next phase is for the big goods vehicle manufacturers to come up with electric vehicles, which will completely change our current profile as a service and support apparatus. Electric vehicles save the environment, are quieter, produce lower levels of vibration and require less maintenance. This is just the beginning,” says Bjørn Hoel in conclusion.