Environmentally-friendly bin lorries are being trialled in Wychavon.
FCC Environment, the District Council’s waste and recycling collections contractor, is trialling two alternative fuels in an effort to cut carbon emissions.
One of its diesel lorries has been replaced by an electric refuse collection vehicle (e-RCV), while the remainder of the street cleaning and collection fleet will swap diesel for hydrotreated vegetable oil.
Dr Mike Burgess, head of development and lead for the e-RCV initiative at FCC Environment, said: “By 2050, by law, we will have to stop using vehicles powered by fossil fuels. This presents a challenge to companies and local authorities using big vehicles for essential services like waste collection.
“It’s not as simple as just replacing the trucks - we need to consider how we upgrade the electricity distribution network and change the way the trucks are used.”
He added: “Through these trials we hope to examine the problems and find solutions to help local authorities decarbonise their waste collection.
“These wide-ranging, long-term trials will generate critical hands-on experience and real FCC Environment contract data to help inform future fleet purchase specifications for the next generation of alternative fuel vehicles in the UK.”
The trial of the e-RCV is part of a national study involving seven other councils, with the vehicle able to operate of about nine hours on a single charge.
Meanwhile, the hydrotreated vegetable oil can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90 percent compared to diesel.
The scheme is part of Wychavon District Council’s Intelligently Green Plan, with a target of cutting carbon emissions by 75 percent by 2030.
Councillor Tony Rowley, executive board member for climate change, environmental policy and regulatory services, said: “These exciting trials demonstrate the commitment of Wychavon and FCC Environment to cutting our carbon emissions.
“I hope the data from this trial will bring us a step closer to the day when we can have a fleet picking up waste and recycling across our district that is completely powered by low or zero carbon fuel sources.”
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