Our Way 1
TEXT RICKARD HALLING LINDHOLM PHOTO KARIN RÖSE UM
ESLÄP THE TRUCK IN ACTION Umesläp produced a movie while visiting Menhammar Stuteri delivering the new truck. T THE FIRST HORSES TO GO ELECTR C Markus Lindgren CEO Menhammar Stuteri is the proud owner of Sweden’s first all-electric horse truck. Built by Umesläp with Menhammar and Soya Group in mind, it will be officially launched next year. o the untrained eye, it looks like any other horse truck, but the beauty is in the details. Based in the small Swedish town Bygdsiljum, Umesläp have made a name for themselves by constructing top-of-the-line horse trucks, especially popular within the world of trotting. With the new electric truck, Umesläp takes the next step in bringing horse transportation into the future. “We are really excited about new technology and the possibilities it brings. When we had the chance to purchase an electric chassis to rebuild, we jumped on the opportunity,” Markus Lindgren explains. WITH EVERYTHING IN place, Umesläp just needed to find the perfect new home for their latest innovative offspring. Stefan Lundmark, sales representative at Umesläp, thought about Menhammar Stuteri right away. “We’ve always had a good relationship and have delivered horse trucks to them for decades. We also had the honour and privilege to deliver vehicles to Stockholms Hästambulans, which Menhammar also has been a part of,” he says. WHEN HE FIRST heard about this exciting new project, CEO Jonas Kleberg didn’t hesitate. “This horse truck is perfect to transport horses between the different farms at Ekerö and to competitions at Solvalla racetrack. It will also serve as another example and inspiration to drive the development of electric transportation,” he says. AT UMESLÄP THEY are proud of the new electric member of the flotilla, but there is one point of improvement they hope to see soon. With increased range they could really shake things up. “With horses onboard, I think the truck can last 160 kilometres on one charge. If there are several horse farms in the same proximity it´s fine, but if you are a trainer going around the country competing, this is not the right choice. But things are happening quickly, and it’s just a matter of time before we see an increased range,” Markus Lindgren concludes. Umesläp WE KNOW THAT SOYA GROUP TRULY CARES ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY. Markus Lindgren Jonas Kleberg Chairman & CEO Soya Group OUR WAY 2/2023 7