Cheese maker pioneers green energy haulage

THE widespread use of electric floats to bring milk to our doorsteps dates back to the 1940s.

And now a West dairy has been trialling the use of electric vehicles of a much bigger variety.

Leading cheddar cheese maker Wyke Farms has announced the successful completion of a green energy haulage trial as it strives to hit net zero production.

It has recently partnered with Volvo Trucks to carry out a two-week trial using the Volvo FM Electric truck for milk collection from supplier farms in Somerset, and for cheese haulage from the dairy to maturing stores.

The truck, charged from 100% renewable electric generated on the Bruton-based farm from its own anaerobic digester (AD) plant and solar panels, is capable of operating at up to 46 tonnes gross vehicle weight on six axles and equipped with five batteries, with a range of almost 200 miles.

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.

“Moving to EV transportation is a significant step forward in our journey to building a carbon neutral future for dairying.”

Since it was established by Ivy and Tom Clothier in 1861, Wyke Farms has grown to become the largest independent cheese maker and milk processor in the UK, producing more than 18,000 tonnes of cheddar a year to the same award-winning 160year-old recipe.

Its cheddar is sold throughout the UK and to 167 countries around the world, with retail sales of more than £120 million.

It says the plan to move to EV haulage in the coming 18 months will be another significant milestone for Wyke Farms which has already implemented sustainability practices at both business and industry levels.

As the UK’s first national cheddar brand to become 100% self-sufficient in green energy, Wyke Farms sources its electricity and gas from both solar and biogas, generated from the farm and dairy waste.

The anaerobic digester saves 20 million kilos of CO2 a year, as well as providing a rich natural fertiliser that is used on local farms to displace artificial nitrogen usage. Wyke Farms says it works hard to protect and nurture countryside around the River Brue which runs through the valley.