RECYCLING and refuse collection is about to get even greener across Wychavon after the District Council announced it has tried out the use of environmentally friendly electric vehicles on its waste rounds.
FCC Environment (the council’s contracted waste management company) was supplied with an electric refuse collection vehicle in December, as well as a fully electric sweeper in January as part of a demonstration.
Crew members took out the e-One RCV refuse truck, which has zero emissions, for two-part days on December 22 and 23.
The vehicle has been created by Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS) and Dutch electric power train developers EMOSS who repower and convert diesel refuse vehicles into electric vehicles. It is one of the first fully electric conversions in the UK.
The Bucher v65e electric sweeper was taken out for two-part days on January 26 and 27 and swept in Pershore, Evesham and Broadway. The sweeper, with zero tailpipe emissions and low noise, can run for up to 200km on a single charge.
Despite the cold weather, which reduces the range of all electric vehicles, both vehicles performed well in their short demonstrations close to the depot.
More trials are planned for later in 2021 to understand better how electric vehicles might work across the Wychavon district.
Coun Emma Stokes, Executive Board Member for Environment at Wychavon District Council, said: “As part of the Intelligently Green Plan, the council aims to lead the Wychavon District to be carbon neutral as quickly as possible and by 2050 at the latest.
“By using electric vehicles, this is one of the potential ways to mitigate climate change.”
Steve Longdon, FCC Environment Operations Director, said: “FCC Environment is one of the UK’s leading recycling and resource management companies collecting waste from 1.3 million people in the UK.
“We are committed to the fight against climate change and are actively working with Wychavon District Council in its aim to be carbon neutral.
“As a result, we are looking closely at a range of alternative fuel vehicles to source the most efficient and cost-effective solution for residents.”
