Waste and resource management company RiverRidge has invested in Northern Ireland’s first and only fully electric skip lift vehicle.
The Renault Trucks E-tech D Wide 4x2 with Hyva skip loader equipment is part of the company’s ambitious campaign to transition its fleet to zero-carbon engines within the next 15 years, and reduce the carbon footprint of its transport services by 75%.
One of the main contracts the vehicle will be used on is with international ship builder and defence contractor, Harland & Wolff, where RiverRidge has secured a new service level agreement.
Scott Argue, waste management coordinator at H&W, said: “As part of our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy we are keen to work with businesses and explore how we can lower our carbon footprint, creating more sustainable ways of working.
“The development of zero-carbon facilities will make a positive impact on our sustainability goals, and at a time when our yard is buzzing with activity, RiverRidge’s technology is both incredibly useful and an important step forward in sustainable technology.”
The vehicle is being supplied by Diamond Trucks and is Renault Trucks’ first commercially available 18 tonne skip lift offering in Northern Ireland.
“The addition of this vehicle to our fleet is one of a number of meaningful steps we are taking to meet the commitments to our stakeholders about reducing the carbon footprint of our collection services,” said Stephen Thompson, RiverRidge’s group transport director.
RiverRidge remains the only waste management operator in the north to have developed a large-scale waste to energy facility, which is located in the Belfast Harbour Estate.
Its first electric skip lift vehicle will operate within the Belfast area, with additional vehicles expected to be deployed across the north over the coming years.
