Milk-E completes first farm collection

Fonterra’s electric tanker has completed its first on-farm collection transporting more than 20,000 litres of milk. 

Named ‘Milk-E’, the battery-swap truck was launched in July this year with $427,000 co-funding from the Government’s Low Emissions Transport Fund (LETF). 

The vehicle recently completed four on-farm milk collections in the Springdale area which added up to be around 60km for the round trip. 

It collected 22,668 litres of milk using only 26% of battery for the round trip. Milk-E has a maximum capacity of 26,275 litres. 

“Milk-E exceeded my expectations delivering a smooth, quiet, and comfortable driving experience,” driver trainer Steve Snookes says. 

“There are some accelerator control methods drivers will have to become familiar with to maintain smooth control at low speed. 

“Overall, I was surprised by Milk-E and given time to adapt their driving style, I look forward to seeing what can be achieved by the operators who collect milk daily,” Snookes says. 

Fontera says the rollout of the vehicle has been slower than compapred to other tankers but it’s important to get the new technology right. 

“Milk-E is a great trial for us to understand what the future of electric milk collection and rural heavy transport looks like,” the company says. 

Click here for more information about the project.