Say ‘Hello’ to Scania’s First UK Electric RoRo

Today marks a major milestone for Recorra, and for the UK’s journey to Net Zero, as we introduce Scania’s first fully electrified roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vehicle to our fleet. Designed to carry full compactors and operate at a maximum legal laden weight of 28 tonnes, electrifying a machine of this size is no small feat. It demands cutting-edge engineering and enormously powerful batteries.

By putting this vehicle into operation, we’re not just celebrating a breakthrough in technology, we’re taking a bold, tangible step toward our goal of a fully emission-free fleet by 2040.

What is a RoRo?

A roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vehicle, also known as a hook loader, is one of the heaviest trucks in any waste management fleet. Its unique design allows it to pull large containers onto its chassis, making it ideal for businesses that generate high volumes of waste. These businesses often use on-site compactors: hydraulic-powered containers that compress waste to as little as one-eighth of its original size. This maximises storage space, streamlines back-of-house operations, and reduces the number of bins and collections required. RoRo containers can handle both general waste and dry mixed recycling.

Even organisations that don’t produce large volumes of waste can benefit from electric RoRo collections for bulky clearances, such as old furniture.

While Recorra has successfully integrated large electric vehicles like refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) since 2020, transitioning RoRo vehicles has been far more challenging. Electric RoRos cost roughly twice as much as their diesel counterparts, and development has been slower due to technical hurdles. Heavy containers demand enormous battery power, and more weight means higher energy consumption. Until now…

Our Partnership with Scania

We approached several manufacturers to explore the possibility of developing an electric RoRo vehicle. Ultimately, Recorra partnered with Scania for their proactive approach and proven expertise in electric vehicle technology. Since launching their first electric truck in 2021, Scania has continued to expand and refine its range, giving us the confidence to deliver their first electric RoRo.

Recorra already operates five Scania vehicles, with seven more on order, thanks to their reputation for quality, innovation, and reliability.

The new fully electric Scania P 230E sets a milestone for low-carbon waste logistics, offering a zero-tailpipe emissions solution for transporting heavy RoRo containers. Electrifying a vehicle of this size has long been a challenge due to high energy demands and the need for powerful batteries, making this breakthrough both technically and economically significant.

Equipped with a 230 kW electric motor and a 400 kWh battery, the P 230E delivers the performance of a traditional heavy goods vehicle without emissions. With capacity for full compactors, a maximum legal laden weight of 28 tonnes, and full air suspension, it provides robust, quiet, and sustainable service for large-scale urban waste collections.

After rigorous testing, we’re proud to announce that this pioneering vehicle is now part of Recorra’s fleet.

How Our Customers Benefit from eRoRo collections

• Lower emissions for our customers: The eRoRo enables Recorra to deliver carbon-free heavy waste collections for businesses across London. Customers also benefit from further reductions in Scope 3 emissions, which can be easily tracked and disclosed through Recorra’s Carbon Report. Plus, 100% of Recorra’s electricity is sourced from green energy and verified by REGO certificates.

• Improved air quality: By eliminating tailpipe emissions entirely, the eRoRo achieves a 100% reduction compared to its diesel counterpart, improving air quality in loading bays where collections take place. Organisations can enjoy the convenience of compactor collections while reducing greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter.

• Customers become carbon reduction trailblazers: Until now, our businesses with RoRo collections have never had the option of emissions-free services. Today, our customers become some of the first organisations in the UK to have their RoRo containers collected by electric vehicles.

Predicted Carbon Savings from This Vehicle

The diesel equivalent of this vehicle emits around 12.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from fuel combustion. By switching to electric, we will prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to six return flights from London to New York every year.

That figure only reflects savings from our direct Scope 1 emissions, the diesel typically burned to operate a RoRo vehicle with a combustion engine. When we widen the lens to Scope 3 emissions, the benefits grow even further: we will prevent three tonnes of CO₂e from entering the supply chain.

In comparison, the electricity from the UK grid required to power the eRoRo produces emissions around 3.4 times lower per km, thanks to the UK’s increasing use of green energy.

The air quality benefits are also significant. This vehicle will eliminate approximately 167 kg of lung-inflaming NOx emissions every year.

Recorra’s Decarbonisation Goals

This RoRo vehicle marks another milestone on our journey to net zero. It follows major achievements this year, including our transition to the biofuel Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and our founding role in launching SUFA – a new trade body dedicated to sustainable urban freight.

Electrification remains the most effective way to fully and permanently decarbonise logistics, and we are proud to play our part in that mission. Our goal is clear: to operate a fully decarbonised fleet by 2040.

The Wider Importance of Our Investment in This Vehicle

This investment reflects Recorra’s unwavering commitment to climate action on a national scale. We know that cutting emissions doesn’t happen by chance. To halt global warming, fossil fuels must be replaced with clean energy sources, the only way to protect our quality of life without further harming the planet.

The technologies that enable this transition, from solar panels and wind turbines to heat pumps, can only be deployed at scale if they become affordable. That affordability depends on businesses investing early, when costs are high and uncertainties remain.

By commissioning this electric vehicle, Recorra is doing exactly that. We’ve chosen to lead, not wait. Rather than holding back until batteries are cheaper and technology more mature, we’ve invested now to accelerate progress. Innovation is a core value at Recorra, and we believe the first step should be ours.