Eastleigh Borough has launched the first fully-electric bin lorries in Hampshire, as the Council continues to work towards reducing air pollution, use of diesel fuel. Its introduction is part of the Council’s work to reduce its carbon emissions and move towards net zero emissions.
The use of battery-powered Electra E-star refuse collection trucks is playing an ever more important role and the new zero-emissions lorry will collect between 15-20 tonnes of waste from around 1100 bins every day. It will only require a single overnight charge to complete its daily round, costing around £10- £12 compared to the daily diesel cost of over £100 for a traditional vehicle.
Cabinet Lead for Environment Cllr Rupert Kyrle said, “We’re really excited as this is the first of three electric refuse vehicle to start operating in Hampshire. As a Council, our refuse collection fleet is one of our biggest sources of emissions so to start to switch from diesel refuse collection vehicles to electric is a great way to reduce our emissions. Traditional bin lorries have a low mileage but a high fuel consumption and operate every day in all our towns and villages – so this all-electric lorry is an exciting development as it’s significantly cheaper to operate and is much more environmentally friendly.”
He added, “This work is all part of the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which sets out how the council will reduce carbon emissions within its own operations and help local residents, businesses and organisations to reduce their carbon footprint too. From investing in electric refuse collection vehicles, working to improve the energy efficiency within council buildings, and increasing tree planting within the borough, we are progressing a number of major projects to help reduce carbon emissions within our own work and across the borough over the coming months and years.”
The Council took possession of three electric waste collection vehicles in July 2023.
Source : East Leigh
