TRIO OF ELECTRIC RELLY MINILOADERS FOR MOERLAND
The grass is already starting to grow beautifully between the previously laid ncb clinkers in Kapelle (Z.). The fresh green color combined with the tightly laid fired paving creates a beautiful overall picture. It is a result to be proud of, and René Moerland certainly is. Not only of the result, but also of how it was achieved. Three electric Relly miniloaders played a leading role in the tender, award, and execution. These were supplemented by an electric Bobcat midi excavator with a paving clamp, also purchased via De Schans in Hedel, and an arsenal of electric vibratory plates. Consequently, Gebr. Moerland B.V. from neighboring Sint-Annaland was able to deliver the entire project zero emission and, at the same time, take a major step in its own sustainability ambitions as a local Zeeland SME. The Rellys perform well in practice; they are powerful, quiet, and can easily last the whole day on a full battery.
RELLY: EASILY A FULL WORKING DAY ON ONE BATTERY CHARGE
Reflecting on the project, owner René Moerland of the family business analyzes that four developments converged at exactly the same time.
“Naturally, you have the trend toward electrification; we were facing the replacement of a few existing diesel machines ourselves, then came the award of this project, and finally, we already had our own vision for the future in which we see an important role for electric equipment.”
This led to a significant investment last year, with Moerland ordering one Relly 1.3E and two Relly 1.8E models. The machines have now been in operation for some time and are performing well, Moerland explains. Meanwhile, the compact Relly 1.3E transports a full pack of clinkers to the Bobcat E35E, which places them electrically using a paving clamp.
“We can easily complete a full working day on a single battery charge.”
This also applies to the Relly 1.8E, which travels frequently and performs heavier earthworks. While others see limitations in charging, Moerland seeks to solve this with Zeeland pragmatism. He seeks cooperation with local residents who have a heavier power connection at home.
“We then have an intermediate meter installed and pay a surcharge on the electricity price so that the resident also earns something from it. We have also charged at a church or community center in this way, allowing the money to flow back into the community. It increases citizen involvement in the work, and we can charge the machines without occupying a public charging station.”
This typifies the approach of Moerland, who highly values professional conduct and appearance.
“You won’t see any hoodies or cans of Red Bull on our job sites. We are a family business in traditional civil engineering. We mainly focus on the redevelopment of inner-city areas.”
As soon as a project becomes specialized—in terms of environment, paving, sewerage, or otherwise—Moerland becomes enthusiastic. The company takes on such projects and executes them primarily for municipalities and occasionally for other institutions or companies. The working area is the triangle of Roosendaal, Renesse, Domburg, and Dordrecht. Moerland performs work for almost all municipalities north of the Westerschelde with a permanent team of 25 employees in execution. Continuing work during lessons
ELECTRIC ALREADY FIVE YEARS AGO
In recent years, the company has established a clear focus on accepting and executing these works with its own skilled workers and its own machines under eight tons. The company now deliberately hires heavier machinery from regular partners. The three Relly miniloaders and the electric Bobcat midi excavator therefore form the heart of their own fleet. The company has been a customer of De Schans for more than 15 years and purchased its first electric mini shovel five years ago to gain experience. Moerland was an early adopter, the first in Zeeland.
“That is how we rolled into electrification, and we experienced that it is a joy. ‘They don’t thud or stink,’ as we say in Zeeland. You have no diesel smell, no vibrations, and they make no noise. That is much more pleasant for the employees, but also for the environment. That image is important to us, as I mentioned. We then set the ambition that by 2025, we want half of our machines and vehicle fleet to be electric. We don’t have to do it, because zero-emission zones are not really an issue in our working area yet, but we simply want to move along with that development.”
Speaking of image; all machines were delivered in Moerland’s striking new corporate colors, with yellow and green as the primary colors. De Schans can deliver this directly from the factory with Relly and even helped in this case by designing the most attractive color scheme. This ensures the machines meet requirements not only technically but also visually. Meanwhile, the municipal supervisor also passes by the site. He appears very pleased with Moerland’s approach and the use of electric machines, partly for environmental reasons and partly for very clear practical reasons. “If we receive complaints from citizens, 80 percent of the time it concerns noise nuisance from contractors’ equipment starting at 7:00 AM. These electric machines work so quietly that there is no nuisance for the surroundings. That saves us a lot of trouble and work.”
