PreZero deploys 32 Volvo FM Electric trucks for efficient, quiet and emission-free waste collection

Waste processing and recycling company PreZero has added 32 Volvo FM Electric trucks in various configurations to its fleet. The company aims to reduce its CO₂-footprint throughout the chain. "We are constantly looking at how we can provide our services with the least amount of transportation movements and the lowest possible carbon footprint.₂-emissions. Making our fleet more sustainable by purchasing electric trucks fits well with our ambitions in this area," said Richard Bierhuizen, Fleet Manager at PreZero.  

PreZero's fleet of vehicles operates mostly in urban areas. And that is why the company is committed to the most sustainable forms of logistics. Starting in 2025, the first major cities will have zero-emission zones. "With this on the horizon, you can't really invest in vehicles that run on fossil fuels anymore. We have therefore purchased 32 electric Volvo trucks. The Volvo FM Electric is very suitable for the different work we do. Because the truck is available in many different configurations, we were able to put together a suitable variant for every application," Richard Bierhuizen explains the choice. 

"Our vehicles generally drive regionally, so the average distance is between 150 and 200 kilometers per day. In addition, the body uses energy to be able to empty the containers, press waste or put containers on and off," says Bierhuizen. All trucks are therefore equipped with an e-PTO to drive the superstructure. "In this, the ex-factory solution from Volvo Trucks offers extensive possibilities for powering the different body types. The battery capacities available, placement options on the chassis and engine outputs also fit our needs well. In addition, we looked at good entry for the driver and plenty of all-round visibility, and chose the most comprehensive safety systems for both drivers, and other road users."

A circular economy with the lowest possible CO₂-emissions

"Where others see waste, we see new raw materials. We ensure that more and more of what we all throw away is reused. In this way we pave the way for a society that needs fewer raw materials. And thus becomes more circular," says Bierhuizen. 

"Our sustainable thinking goes beyond processing waste streams into raw materials. It also extends to the company's logistics processes," he continues. "We are constantly looking at how we can provide our services with the fewest possible transport movements and the lowest possible CO₂-emissions. Making our fleet more sustainable by purchasing electric trucks fits well with our ambitions in this area."

Close cooperation in determining proper configuration of the technically complex vehicles

To make the fleet more sustainable, PreZero made an inventory of all locations, the routes and distances the vehicles travel and the energy consumption. We also looked at what network connection is available and what possibilities there are to increase capacity. Based on this, in consultation with Volvo Trucks, a choice was made as to which configurations are suitable for electrification. Bierhuizen: "The various chassis and body versions were drawn up in close consultation between the Volvo sales engineer and the various bodybuilders. With these technically complex vehicles, this prior coordination is essential to avoid problems in the assembly and drive of the body."

The 32 Volvo FM Electrics are set up as cracker vehicles for the collection of roll cages of commercial waste, paper and pd (plastic packaging and beverage cartons), skip and hook arm vehicles for transporting drop-off/press containers and a tractor for waste collection with a trailer. 

A different specification was chosen for each deployment, based on available and required battery capacity, space on the chassis and axle configuration. This ranges from 6×2 chassis with a steered trailing axle and 360 kWh battery capacity for the crawler vehicles, 4×2 chassis with 360 kWh battery capacity for the skip vehicles and 6×2 chassis with 540 kWh battery capacity and 490 kW engine power for the hooklift body, which is also equipped with a trailer coupling so that it can drive with a trailer.

Further fleet electrification

In 2021, PreZero started building the first charging station in Duiven, and the first electric trucks started driving there in 2022. "Here we have already gained a lot of experience and learned from it. It turned out that after the first getting used to it, everyone is very enthusiastic. The drivers are happy with the quietness and flexibility of these trucks and hardly experience any problems with the range. Should the trucks need to drive extra in the evening, for example for paper collection, there is always the option of fast charging. But for our daily operations, this has not yet proven necessary in many cases. As a result, the impact on our daily operations is very limited," Bierhuizen said.

PreZero is determined to push ahead with further electrification of its fleet now. "By 2030, we expect at least 33% of the fleet to be emission-free. For many of our applications, the current battery capacity is sufficient. In the coming years, this will undoubtedly increase so that we can also electrify those vehicles that have greater energy requirements and little chassis space for batteries. Of course, we will then have to do some work, especially in the area of grid capacity, in order to install sufficient charging infrastructure at all our locations," says Bierhuizen. 

Finally, he has one piece of advice: "We want to give other entrepreneurs that it is important to start and gain experience with this energy transition. It often turns out that a lot is already possible if you get started with it; make use of the experience that the suppliers of both the trucks and the charging infrastructure have now gained."