Biffa wastes no time onboarding four new IVECO X-Way

Tuesday 28th November 2023

The UK’s leading sustainable waste management company, Biffa, has taken delivery of four new IVECO X-Way trucks to bolster its fleet of over 3,000 vehicles.

Waste disposal is often taken for granted due to the highly efficient services from companies such as Biffa. The completion of demanding tasks and round-the-clock work of its fleet is essential to a smooth-running service and the quartet of new rugged IVECO X-Ways (AD360X42Z OFF) join the fleet as bulk carriers.

Biffa maintains around 400 bulk carriers to serve as the mechanical muscle for many of its services. Collecting large industrial waste units for transportation to recycling plants and landfill means these machines need to be tough, especially as many final mile routes are often unpaved.

These 8x4 IVECO X-Way generate plenty of traction due to their highly capable drivetrain. The ‘OFF’ variant has been specified, which features an approach angle of more than 25 degrees to prepare for challenging terrain, as well as a ‘Rocking Mode’. This handy function helps boost traction should the vehicle become stuck in mud or snow. By modifying clutch behaviour, this mode oscillates the vehicle to scoop loose material under the wheel to gain more traction. A sturdy steel bumper further adds to the truck’s overall durability.

Supplied by Guest Trucks the X-Way vehicles feature bodywork from Boughton Engineering Ltd who also installed the hydraulic hook loader system. When combined with the tough X-Way chassis, the vehicle can self-sufficiently load industrial waste bins weighing up to 16 tonnes.

Darren Judd, Biffa Head of Fleet Development, highlighted: “As the leader in sustainable waste management, it was important to us to select a vehicle that could operate at the highest standard, but also has longevity as we want our vehicles to last as long as possible before replacement. We wanted to look at vehicle suitability and to really test the market and we feel we have found this with the IVECO X-Way.”

Set to cover around 44,000 miles per year and potentially operate 18-hour days via dual-shifts these trucks could reasonably “return to the depot after one shift, switch driver and be off out on the road again.” 

Driver comfort was therefore high on Biffa’s priority list which X-Way delivers with a standard air-suspended driver’s seat and cruise control that helps take the strain on longer-distance missions. A 12-speed Hi-Tronix automatic gearbox further adds to ease of driving mated to a Cursor 11 diesel engine producing a potent 420hp and 2,000Nm of torque.

Biffa’s IVECO X-Ways aren’t just about brawn, but also brain as each is fitted with a 4G Connectivity Box. This system allows operators to access smart reporting to analyse vehicle performance, track the location of individual trucks, remotely diagnose faults, and help plan maintenance. It can even perform ‘over the air’ updates meaning there is no need to visit the dealer to receive the latest software.

Patrick Farbrace, IVECO Business Line Director – Truck, said: “I’m pleased the IVECO X-Way has been considered by Biffa for its essential work. We are looking forward to seeing these highly capable trucks working hard on the Biffa fleet over the coming years.”