SELLING THE E-MOFFETT
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John Bailey, UK national account manager industrial business for Cargotec (Moffett Engineering’s parent company) and long-time TMFL advocate, reckons the electric Moffett will attract many new customers beyond the company’s traditional construction/agriculture base – and not just those who need a quiet TMFL for night-time deliveries.
“Being zero-emission it can also be used in warehouses and cold-stores where a diesel-powered fork-truck wouldn’t be allowed,” he says.
While truck operators remain wary of long-term residuals on hybrid or alternativefuel trucks Moffett plans to offer a number of acquisition options on its electric model, which should remove any similar wariness. “We’re happy to sell outright, or lease the machine with or without batteries,” says Bailey. “And that means three, four or five-year leases. We’re convinced of the long-term viability of the machine and we’re happy to take any residual risk if the customer doesn’t want to.” Moffett has also developed its electric model with an eye to the future in terms of its ability to be retrofitted with upgraded battery technology. And while acknowledging that the electric-Moffett will cost up to 15% more than an equivalent diesel model, Bailey insists: “The total cost of ownership will be lower. There’s no diesel, no oil to change, reduced maintenance – it will have a considerably lower R&M figure compared to a diesel.” An early-build model will shortly start a six-month trial with Sheffield-based Ferraris Piston Service (FPS) on late-night driver deliveries.