Powering up: Cloudbass pushes its sustainability credentials with three new e-HGV tractor units for outside broadcasts

One of Cloudbass’ new e-HGV tractor units

Independent outside broadcast company Cloudbass is pushing its sustainability credentials forward with the acquisition of new Volvo FH Electric tractor units that will further reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

The tractor units are being used to create sustainable OBs for the company’s contracted clients, which has been one of Cloudbass’ long-term goals.

Each Volvo FH Electric tractor unit holds up to six battery packs for up to 540 kWh, ensuring a range of up to 300 kilometres, or 186 miles.

It can haul a gross combination weight of up to 44 tonnes, making it perfect for an OB.

Once on location, it can be speedily recharged to a full charge in 9.5 hours with AC (43 kW) or 2.5 hours with DC (250 kW).

Comments Steve Knee, maanging director at Cloudbass: “We are obviously on our road to sustainability. I think we’ve got a lot of understanding in the business of how electric vehicles are going to work. We are taking this to the next level with e-HGVs,” says Knee.

“We are the first OB firm to do [e-HGV units like] this for live sports broadcast,” Knee continues, adding on why it was important to be first on this, “because it’s good for business”.

It is all about making trailblazing moves for sustainability, says Knee: “We want to lead the conversation and understanding about sustainability. One really important point that I try to make about sustainability all the time is people think it costs you more money, and no one wants to pay more; [they say] broadcasters don’t want to pay more for their programmes, although they want them to be sustainable. That is a perception, but that’s absolutely not correct.

“If we keep approaching sustainability from that standpoint we’re never going to get there,” he continues. “If it’s always going to cost more money at a time that budgets are getting squeezed more and more and more, then sustainability will get compromised. But actually if you do right, you save money; do sustainability and it should be more cost effective than burning diesel.”

Volvo has stated that an important factor in the possible range of the vehicles is how the driver uses them, so significant training is going into ensuring that Cloudbass’ rig drivers know what to do. “Actually being able to get to your destination in an electric truck will depend on your driving style,” notes Knee.

Additionally, Cloudbass has recently installed a solar array on the roof of its Midlands industrial unit base. The significant power generation created by the solar panels is now charging the e-HGV units, which also are able to act as their own disaster recovery back ups on site due to their power storage and power take off capabilities.