Waste recycling specialist Recycling Lives is taking on two electric 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. skip loaders from Renault.

Joining Recycling Lives’ specialist skip handling fleet, the two D Wide Z.E.s will be located at the Recycling Park in Preston, employed in daily operations servicing commercial and household clients.

The vehicles are a result of a project where Recycling Lives worked with Renault Trucks to co-design a bespoke electric skip loader vehicle.

Gerry Marshall, Recycling Lives’ CEO, commented on the partnership. He said: “A significant driver for our business is innovation. These vehicles are an industry first, and they’ll be a standard element of our fleet over time. The vehicles have been specifically designed for us to deliver optimum operational efficiencies, and it was critical for us that we partner with an international organisation that matches our values and our ambitions.

“A fundamental aspect of moving over to an electric fleet was that our innovations will provide environmental benefits to our customers too.

“We’re committed to minimising our impact on the environment as the company evolves to offer more circular economy solutions. Replacing our transport fleet with electric vehicles and more sustainable fuel solutions is vital in that transition.”

Recycling Lives’ purchase decision follows the successful trial of a 16 tonne Renault Trucks D Z.E. demonstrator in July which provided an opportunity to evaluate performance and effectiveness for electric vehicle applications in the fleet. Additionally, Renault Trucks’ enhancement of the D and D Wide Z.E. range, with the introduction of an 18 tonne D Wide Z.E. model and extended range of wheelbases, provided the payload and manoeuvrability required for skip handling vehicles.