First Fully Electric Waste Truck

About the city. The city council is aiming to halve its direct carbon emissions by 2025 as part of a wider drive to make Manchester zero carbon by 2038 at the latest in response to the climate change emergency.

Goal

The aim is to halve direct carbon emissions by 2025 as part of a wider drive to make Manchester zero carbon by 2038 at the latest in response to the climate change emergency.

Implementation period. Replacing of waste collection vehicles has been started in 2020.

Fact

The city is thought to contribute some 2.1m tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

Solutions

Biffa, which holds the contract for waste collection and street cleaning in the UK city, has placed an order for 27 new electric refuse collection vehicles (e-RCVs) to replace diesel wagons which have reached the end of their natural lifespans.

The electric vehicle is designed to work to the same specification as a conventional dustcart although the engine has been replaced by batteries. This not only sees a reduction in emissions but also improved levels of noise pollution.

The quietness of the new trucks could allow bin collections to be made later on at night instead of in rush-hour morning traffic. It would also help improve air quality across the city as a zero-emission vehicle.

The switch to electric eRCVs will reportedly save around 900 tonnes of carbon emissions a year, cutting around four per cent of the council’s current direct annual emissions.

Challenges

Waste trucks are not cheap. The commitment will cost the council £9.79m. This is marginally more than it would have cost for a like-for-like replacement with diesel vehicles but the difference will be largely offset by energy savings and the availability of grants over the new vehicles’ expected 10-year lifespan

Team

Waste management company Biffa and Manchester City Council

Timeline

The first fully electric 27-tonne waste collection vehicle is being trialled in Manchester, bringing quieter collections and lower fuel emission levels to the city.

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