We can’t wait to meet our new green machine - a battery powered concrete truck. In collaboration with the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) and the new Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) Firth, as part of our low carbon journey, has ordered the first state of the art battery-swap concrete mixer to operate in and around Auckland.
“This will be the first battery operated concrete truck in the country,” says Francis Leslie, Head of Masonry, Dricon, Asset Management & Northern Certified for Firth. “Both the truck and mixer are being manufactured in China and will arrive here later this year.”
Francis says that the truck will have a large lithium mounted battery that will drive both the truck and CIFA 6m3 mixer which will be able to be recharged overnight.
“This first truck will allow us time to gauge its performance over a period of time,” says Francis. “The weight of the battery may limit the load size, compared with a current similar sized truck, however the trial period will take all of the variables into account.”
“It is a very exciting project for Firth in our goal to reduce our footprint as part of our sustainable commitment to ourselves and our customers. We are looking forward to its arrival later this year.”
Implementing sustainable practices throughout our manufacturing process is only the beginning of Firth's contribution to sustainable building. Our sustainability pillars focus on carbon reduction, water conservation, the circular economy, supply chain efficiency and social responsibility.
For more on Firth’s sustainability commitment click here.