The IRTE Scottish Ayrshire Centre hosted a visit and talk from Andrew Holliday of Electra Commercial Vehicles at its most recent meeting, held in Kilmarnock in March.
Andrew, who is Sales Manager at Blackburn-based Electra, entertained 28 centre members with an informative presentation about the group’s vehicle product range, as well as giving insider insight into some of the services it provides.
In the spotlight were zero-emissions trucks weighing 7.5 tonnes to 44 tonnes built as either Battery Electric (BeV) or H2 Fuel Cell Electric (FCeV), all based on OEM glider chassis platforms.
Electra’s glider chassis supply partners are Mercedes Benz, Iveco, Isuzu, and Dennis Eagle. Andrew explained how Electra electrifies the base chassis (glider) to meet specific requirements, following a thorough consultation and evaluation of the customer’s operations.
Electra works with its strategic partners to offer outright purchase, contract hire or lease packages to match each client’s preference.
Andrew showed how Electra’s in-house designers and engineers have also developed a modular approach to the build and energy supply. Andrew explained how this can reduce the number of different components and, as a result, offer greater availability and flexibility within Electra’s product range.
Andrew also explained that much of Electra’s experience is taken from its extensive knowledge of building BeVs for municipal customers. Business and product growth has expanded with the products on offer in several sectors, such as urban refrigerated vehicles, aircraft catering and support vehicles, ground support equipment vehicles and brewery distribution and aircraft refuelling vehicles.
Electra also provides Rechargeable Energy Storage System solutions for powering refrigerated trailers and electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric Gen-Sets for standalone off-grid solutions.
Andrew also told members that all of Electra’s vehicles and solutions are zero emission in-use and PEAK compliant. He explained how any in-service or warranty repairs can be carried out at the dealer’s premises, with specialist support from Electra’s network of agents and partners. All complete vehicles are type-approved.
Andrew then told members that in addition to vehicle supply, Electra works with its partners to provide advanced technology and software development. Its demonstration vehicles gather a vast amount of data, which is then used to develop Electra’s product range to provide energy efficiency solutions.
IRTE Chair Rick Bedding thanked Andrew for a very full and informative talk.
John Russell
Honorary Secretary
IRTE Scottish Ayrshire Centre
(Pictured: Andrew Holliday of Electra Vehicles, centre, with IRTE Scottish Ayrshire Centre Chair Rick Bedding, left, and Honorary Secretary John Russell)