Freeburn Transport is preparing to put its first fully electric truck into operation, with the arrival of a new Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4x2 tractor unit supplied by Diamond Trucks.
The new vehicle is understood to be the first Renault Trucks E-Tech T in Northern Ireland and marks a significant step in the County Tyrone haulier's move towards lower emission logistics.
Headquartered in Moy, Co Tyrone, Freeburn Transport operates across the UK, Ireland and Europe, providing ambient, chilled, groupage, warehousing, customs clearance and distribution services. The business runs a mixed fleet of 150 trucks and more than 400 trailers, with Renault Trucks now representing a growing share of the operation and further diesel Renault Trucks due to join the fleet this year.
The E-Tech T will be used initially on trunking work, moving trailers between Freeburn sites, before being introduced more widely as the business builds real-world experience of electric operation.
Richard Lee, Operations Manager at Freeburn Transport, commented:
"We are always looking to evolve as a business and electric is where things are going. We have had interest about EVs from customers, particularly in retail, and this gives us the opportunity to see where electric can fit into our operation.
"It is a new step for us, but we have worked closely with the teams at Renault Trucks and Diamond Trucks to look at how the E-Tech T could be used, and the timing felt right."
Supported through eFREIGHT 2030
The new E-Tech T has been introduced through the eFREIGHT 2030 Associate Member scheme, part of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
Designed to accelerate the real-world deployment of electric HGVs and charging infrastructure, the Associate Member scheme enables operators outside the core eFREIGHT 2030 consortium to demonstrate electric trucks in their own fleets. Freeburn's E-Tech T is being delivered on contract hire through Vertellus, with charging infrastructure installed by Voltempo, giving the business the opportunity to experience electric heavy truck operation without having to make an immediate full-fleet commitment.
For Freeburn, that support extends beyond the vehicle itself, with charging infrastructure being installed as part of the package.
Richard explained:
"Voltempo have been very helpful. They came over, looked at a couple of different sites and have been working through how the charger and power supply will operate."
Building confidence through planning and support
Freeburn is working closely with Renault Trucks and Diamond Trucks on route modelling, charging plans and driver training before the E-Tech T enters service, reflecting the level of planning required when an operator introduces electric HGV technology for the first time.
Richard said:
"The simulations have been very useful. They give us an idea of what the truck can do before we put it physically on the road, so we can look at where it fits best in the operation and build from there."
Iain Latimer, Dealer Principal at Diamond Trucks, said:
"The important thing with electric vehicles is making sure the truck is right for the work. Through Renault Trucks' energy transition specialists, we can look at route analysis, load simulations, charging and the practical detail that gives customers confidence. All of that groundwork has been done to help make sure this vehicle can fit into Freeburn's operation."
Until Freeburn's charging infrastructure is fully operational, the vehicle will be able to use Diamond Trucks' charging facilities at Mallusk. The dealership has invested in electric vehicle capability, including technician training and on-site charging, giving customers confidence that the support around electric trucks is developing alongside the vehicles themselves.
Built for real-world electric operation
The Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4x2 has been specified to give Freeburn the range, performance and driver environment needed to begin building confidence in electric operation.
The 40-tonne GCW tractor unit is equipped with six lithium-ion battery packs with a total capacity of 540kWh. Powered by three electric motors, it delivers up to 490kW continuous power and 2,400Nm of maximum torque, with Renault Trucks' Optidriver automated gearbox adapted for the electric driveline.
For Freeburn, the vehicle's capability will be tested in a real working environment, with the business expecting the E-Tech T to carry out regular trunking work and potentially cover up to 200 miles per day as the operation develops.
Richard said:
"The plan is to use it on regular work at the start, see how it performs and then build from there. There is no point having it as a showpiece. We want to see what it can do."
Driver engagement will also be an important part of the transition. The E-Tech T includes a sleeper cab, rear-view cameras, 4-point cab air suspension, parking cooler and heater, cab preconditioning when connected to mains electricity, and Renault Trucks connected services including Optifleet Check, Optifleet Map and the Driver App.
Renault Trucks has also offered driver training support, enabling Freeburn's driver trainer to understand how to get the best from the electric vehicle before sharing that knowledge with the wider driver team.
Diamond Trucks brings electric expertise to Northern Ireland operators
Freeburn's E-Tech T was displayed on the Diamond Trucks stand at the first RTX Northern Ireland show last month, giving operators in the region a close look at a fully electric tractor unit and generating strong interest from fleets exploring the transition to electric vehicles.
Iain said:
"Freeburn is a progressive business and this is an exciting step in our relationship with them. We have been working with Richard and the team for a number of years, and we are delighted to support them as they take their first step into electric truck operation.
"Electric will not suit every operation today, but for local and regional back-to-base work, where the vehicle can charge overnight or between shifts, there are real opportunities. With grant support now available and projects such as eFREIGHT 2030 helping operators gain first-hand experience, the conversation is moving forward."
A platform for future electrification
Freeburn says the E-Tech T could pave the way for further electric vehicles if the first truck performs as expected, with the business already considering where additional charging infrastructure and electric trucks could fit into its wider depot network.
Richard concluded:
"If it goes well, success would mean more of them. We would like to look at adding electric trucks into different depots and putting chargers where they make sense. This is the first one for us, so we will see how it performs, learn from it and take it from there."
