It makes quite a lot of sense when you think about it. An industry embedded with the principles of recycling is a prime candidate for early adoption of a zero-emissions battery electric heavy truck and fast charging capability.
Nationwide recycler Phoenix Metalman Recycling NZ Ltd began operating a new XCMG E700 6x4 battery swap electric truck around Auckland city from its Takanini headquarters towards the end of 2022.
It’s primarily a data gathering exercise, with the truck and its supporting charger system being 50% co-funded with an Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) grant of $274,500.
The trial looks into how an electric truck can perform the same work as a traditional diesel unit. And for Phoenix Metalman, it’s one part of a concerted push toward its own emissions and sustainability targets.
In the 24-year history of New Zealand Truck & Driver magazine this is the first electric truck to grace our cover. Is it a sign of the times and a look into the future? Or is it a fad?
And what is driving companies to take the leap and become early adopters of fully electric trucks?
This XCMG E700 6x4 battery swap electric truck is being used by Phoenix Metalman Recycling to move loads of up to 20-tonnes of processed scrap metal around the Auckland metro region.
XCMG is another Chinese brand emerging in global markets with a major focus on EV technology. The E700 has the “fast swap” 282kWh battery behind the cab which can be swapped in about five minutes using a dedicated gantry system.
The battery capacity allows an estimated range of about 140km without the battery dropping below 20% of charge. So that immediately tells me it’s not going to be able to do a lot of the freight tasks we have in New Zealand. But there are certain, mainly metro runs, which it does suit.
Today we are carting scrap metal from the Phoenix Metalman yard in Takanini to a yard in Otahuhu. It’s a short run up the Southern Motorway and through Great South Rd to our destination. A round trip is about 40km and this truck typically does it and some similar runs three times a day.
