The AA Leads the Way with UK’s First Electric Recovery Vehicles

By

The AA, a leading UK-based roadside assistance firm, has taken a significant step towards a greener future by introducing fully electric recovery vehicles to its extensive 3,000-vehicle fleet. This announcement was made at a recent Fleet Decarbonisation event, underscoring The AA's commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation.

Recognising the complexities involved in transitioning to a fully electric fleet, The AA is adopting a “test and scale” strategy. This approach involves rigorous testing of alternative fuel vehicles in real-world conditions to ensure their efficacy and reliability before wider deployment. Edmund King OBE, President of The AA, and Duncan Webb, Head of Fleet, emphasised the company's dedication to a sustainable future during their presentation at The AA's Oldbury Operations Centre. They outlined The AA’s Motoring Manifesto and latest Environment Social and Governance (ESG) report, highlighting the steps the organisation is taking to reduce its carbon footprint.

The event showcased a range of low-emission vehicles, with the centerpiece being The AA's newest electric recovery vehicles: a Volvo FE Slidebed, an Iveco eDaily Powerload, and an Iveco eDaily crew van equipped with a heavy-duty Compact Recovery Trailer (CRT). These vehicles mark the first operational electric recovery trucks in the UK, setting a new standard in the industry and accelerating The AA's journey towards its 2035 net zero target.

Edmund King OBE expressed his enthusiasm about these innovations, stating, “Introducing these exciting new concept vehicles to our fleet is an important step towards our goal of becoming a net zero company by 2035. As a market-leading organisation, we are committed to showing the way as the country transitions to a zero-emissions future.”

Detailed Overview of the New Recovery Vehicles

Volvo FE Boniface Slidebed

The electric Volvo FE 19T, featuring a Boniface VLA (very low angle) slidebed, represents a significant advancement in The AA's fleet. Capable of carrying 6000kg on its recovery bed and an additional 2000kg on its secondary car lift, the vehicle boasts a range of 170 miles and a rapid recharge time of 2.25 hours with a 150kWh charger. This truck is designed for operations in low-emission zones, such as London and Birmingham. Simon Ungless, AA Commercial Group Fleet Manager, highlighted the collaborative effort with Volvo and Boniface in developing this zero-emission vehicle, praising its payload capabilities and quick charging times.

Iveco eDaily 7.2T Dyson Powerload

The Iveco eDaily Powerload features a groundbreaking remote loading system by Roger Dyson, which significantly reduces manual handling for recovery operatives. With a range of 100 miles and a payload capacity of 3000kg, this vehicle is ideal for low-emission zones. It can be rapidly charged to full capacity in under an hour using an 80kWh charger. Dug Dudley, AA Fleet Engineer, praised the innovative design, noting how the remote loading system eases the operatives' work and the vehicle's impressive payload and quick charging features.

Iveco eDaily CRT Van

This vehicle is a specialised conversion of an Iveco eDaily crew van, featuring a twin battery setup for an extended range of 160 miles. It includes a heavy-duty CRT capable of carrying vehicles up to 3,250kg and can handle motorcycles, EVs, and 4x4s. The van also offers a comfortable passenger area with leather seats, a custom-made table, and USB charging points. George Flinton, AA Fleet Support Engineer, emphasised the versatility and comfort of the eDaily CRT van, which makes it an excellent choice for The AA’s net zero goals and provides reliable and comfortable transportation for members.

Duncan Webb summed up the event by expressing excitement about the introduction of these groundbreaking vehicles into The AA's “test and scale” fleet decarbonisation strategy. The structured tests in real-life settings will include various alternative fuels, such as hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and electric options, across a wide range of van applications. These vehicles will form the basis for broader deployment in the future, reflecting The AA’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

With these pioneering electric recovery vehicles, The AA is not only advancing towards its 2035 net zero target but also setting a new industry benchmark for environmental

STOCK IMAGE

Popular posts from this blog

AW Energy Launches Renewable-Powered EV Charging Hub, Cutting Costs by 50%

By
Image
AW Energy has officially launched its new ultra-rapid charging station at Checkley Wood, near Leighton Buzzard, offering a significant reduction in charging costs for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The station is powered by renewable energy generated through wind turbines, allowing the company to offer ultra-rapid charging at just 39p per kWh—nearly 50% less than the industry average of 80p per kWh, according to Zap Map’s September Price Index. The launch of this facility marks a major milestone in AW Energy’s efforts to bring sustainable, affordable, and reliable EV charging infrastructure to the UK. The Checkley Wood station is already open to the public, accommodating both electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and cars. Larger vehicles, including electric buses and commercial trucks, will be able to use the station by the end of the year. A New Era for EV Charging AW Energy’s Checkley Wood site is designed to serve both everyday EV drivers and fleet operators. The site feature...
Read more

Coca-Cola to Trial Hydrogen-Fuelled Long-Haul Truck with Toyota and Air Liquide

By
Image
In a significant step towards sustainability, Coca-Cola is set to trial a hydrogen-fuelled long-haul truck as part of its supply operations. This initiative, in collaboration with Toyota and Air Liquide, aims to explore the viability of hydrogen fuel technology in reducing carbon emissions in logistics. Toyota has partnered with Coca-Cola and Air Liquide to test a heavy-duty truck equipped with a state-of-the-art fuel cell system. This truck will be powered by green hydrogen, produced and supplied by Air Liquide, highlighting the integrated approach required to foster a sustainable society. In a statement, Toyota emphasised the importance of developing both vehicles and infrastructure concurrently to promote a greener future. Eric Desbonnets, Vice-President of Paris 2024 Operations at Coca-Cola, expressed the company’s commitment to learning from this initiative as part of its broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. “We want to learn from this experience as we continue to wo...
Read more

Uniper Unveils Ambitious Hydrogen Hub Project in the Humber, UK

By
Image
Uniper, a global energy company, has set its sights on revolutionising the energy landscape with its latest venture: the Humber H2ub® project. This ambitious initiative, slated to be operational by 2029, aims to establish a hydrogen hub at the Killingholme site in the Humber region of the United Kingdom. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Uniper's project holds the promise of significant advancements in green hydrogen production and decarbonisation efforts. At the heart of the Humber H2ub® project lies a plan to integrate 120MW of green hydrogen production capacity, with potential for further expansion. This forward-looking approach aligns with Uniper's broader vision to scale up its electrolyser capacity to over 1GW across its operations by 2030. By harnessing the power of green hydrogen, Uniper seeks to drive down emissions and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. A key aspect of Uniper's strategy involves collaboration with industry par...
Read more