Bakers SA Limited is investing in 67 SANY electric trucks fitted with locally manufactured Serco dry-freight bodies as part of its fleet renewal programme.
The first truck and body were handed over at SANY’s Johannesburg facility on October 20, with representatives from Bakers, Clicks, SANY, Serco, WesBank, Avis and other service partners attending, the manufacturer said.
Bakers had selected the truck and body combination to improve durability and cargo security while limiting repair costs and vehicle downtime, Serco said.
The trucks are fitted with Serco’s Protec dry-freight bodies, which combine steel-coated outer facings with a lightweight injected foam core. This construction offers greater impact resistance than conventional fibreglass bodies, potentially reducing repairs and vehicle downtime, according to the manufacturer.
The bodies also incorporate a captive shoring system to secure loads. Its restraint bars remain attached inside the vehicle, reducing the risk of equipment being lost or damaged and helping prevent cargo movement during transit, Serco said.
A geo-fencing lock system integrated with the tail lifts allows rear-door and tail-lift functions to be controlled remotely and activated only at approved locations, according to Serco. The system was intended to provide additional protection for drivers and cargo, the company said.
The order builds on the manufacturer’s existing relationship with Bakers and the fleet operator’s investment in fleet technology, Serco CEO Clinton Holcroft said.
The 67-vehicle order represents one of Serco’s most significant commercial electric vehicle body-building projects to date, according to the manufacturer.
