Called eCollect, the vehicle is due to go into production by the end of 2019. The vehicle has specially designed battery packs and control systems, with 300kWr next-generation batteries, with a 200kW electric motor driving a conventional axle.
It will initially be available to the market in a 26-tonne 6x2 rear steer narrow (2.25m wide) configuration, with left- or right-hand drive options, a 19m3 narrow body and automatic split bin lift.
Kevin Else, managing director at Dennis Eagle, says: “We are very excited to be unveiling our new eCollect electric model at IFAT. It is the result of many years’ research and development, and we are confident the end result will offer our customers a more environmentally friendly refuse collection vehicle that delivers affordable lifetime costs, while delivering zero-emission waste collection and transportation.
“Aside from the replacing the diesel engine with an electric drive system, we have made minimal changes to the vehicle design, helping to ensure ease of maintenance, as well as product familiarity with drivers and crews.”
The vehicle is undergoing extensive trials, he adds, which will enable optimisation of battery management software.