Wyke Farms completes trial of Volvo FM Electric truck

Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and producer of renewable energy, complete successful trial with Volvo Trucks as they continue to find new ways of reducing carbon and extend EV usage for milk collection and haulage.

Wyke Farms have completed a two-week trial using the Volvo FM Electric truck for milk collections from supplier farms in Somerset and for cheese haulage from the dairy to the maturing stores.

The truck, charged from 100% renewable electric generated on the farm from AD and solar PV is capable of operating at up to 46 tonnes gross vehicle weight on 6 axles and equipped with 5 batteries with a range of 300km.

Rich Clothier, managing director and third generation family member at Wyke Farms said: “the immediate benefits include a cleaner, quieter method of delivery, which is especially important for night-time collections” he continues “moving to EV transportation is a significant step forward in our journey to building a carbon neutral future for dairying”.

The plan to move to EV haulage over the coming 18 months, will be another significant milestone for Wyke Farms who have already implemented many sustainability practices including minimising waste and packaging, recovering heat, filtering and reusing wastewater, and reducing carbon emissions. The overall aim for the company is to achieve Net Zero production.

The farm uses 100 per cent green energy, with electricity and gas sourced from Wyke Farm’s own self-generated solar power and from biogas generated from farm and dairy waste. The anaerobic digester saves 20 million kilos of CO2 every year, as well as providing a rich natural fertiliser that is used on local farms to displace artificial nitrogen usage.