Dairy with green-energy powered factory to run UK’s 1st electric HGV for milk transport
Mona Dairy is set to unveil the UK’s first Battery Electric Vehicle tractor and trailer for milk haulage.
Mona Dairy is set to unveil the UK’s first Battery Electric Vehicle tractor and trailer for milk haulage.
The vehicle will be trialled for a fortnight in order for the dairy to determine “proof of concept”.
The company already has a 25,000 sq ft factory on Mona Industrial Park powered by green energy, and Managing Director Ronald Akkerman says the the switch to electric vehicles for milk collection will also help them on the road to achieving net zero status.
“We are proud to have been the first dairy in the UK to introduce the Volvo BEV HGV tractor and trailer combination, it’s the first step towards the complete decarbonisation of our transport. Electric trucks are much quieter for communities, for our drivers and for the farms that we collect milk from, which is especially important for night-time collections. The pumping system on our trailer is also electric, allowing for much faster and very quiet loading of milk on farm. The Welsh countryside is a perfect match for a BEV tractor unit, as it will recover a lot of energy from braking and converts it into the electrical power that charges the vehicle’s battery.”
Ynys Mon MP Virginia Crosbie added:
“Mona Dairy is one of the most forward-thinking businesses on Anglesey, creating jobs and supporting the local economy while being at the forefront of advances in agriculture and sustainable food production. latest development and move towards decarbonisation of its milk collection fleet is another first for the UK. All this fits in with my priorities of attracting investment and jobs to Ynys Mon in these growing and key industries that will be underpinned by the island’s new freeport status. I am fully supportive and thankful to Mona Dairy for the innovation shown in working towards net zero status while leading the way for the manufacturing industry in Wales and beyond.”
Speaking on behalf of Volvo and dealership Thomas Hardie Commercials, Key Account Manager David Hill said:
“We are delighted to be involved in supplying an FM 4×2 fully electric tractor unit to Mona Dairy to demonstrate a net zero approach to collecting and transporting milk from farms to the factory for cheese production. The vehicle will run for two weeks to prove the concept and results of the trial will enable Mona Dairy to confidently move forwards with the project.”