Councils take delivery of their first electric waste vehicle

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have taken delivery of their first electric food waste collection vehicle – part of the councils’ ambitions to decarbonise the waste vehicle fleet and move towards net zero.

The vehicle, a Terberg EV ORUS, was delivered to the councils at the Culham depot of their waste contractor, Biffa, earlier this autumn. It is being used throughout both district council areas as part of the fleet of 12 food waste collection trucks. The diesel food waste trucks each cover approximately, 26,000 miles per year, which with an average load would produce 30.9 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). By changing to an electric food waste vehicle the councils expect to save more than 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

In addition to the reduction in carbon emissions, the EV will also save time and energy as it has a compressor function which means that despite being the same overall size as the other food waste trucks, it can take more food waste before it fills up. This means fewer trips to the food waste reprocessing facility in Wallingford to empty the truck before it can continue its collection round.

The new vehicle also has a lift to allow the bins to be mechanically lifted and emptied into the waste compartment, which will be quicker for the collection crew as the current food trucks are loaded by hand. The vehicle like most EVs, is also quieter than diesel and petrol vehicles.

Cllr Mark Coleman, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It is a great day for us to take delivery of the first EV in our fleet of waste vehicles. Our aim is that when the time comes to replace each of our food waste trucks, then EVs will be the first choice in terms of what they deliver for the public. It is our proud ambition to provide a reliable and robust waste collection service for our residents and cut council carbon emissions at the same time.”

Cllr Sam James-Lawrie, Cabinet Member for the Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We are delighted to reduce greenhouse gases both for our councils and for the districts, with the purchase of this new EV, following a very successful trial in the districts of a similar vehicle a year ago.

“When considered over its whole life cycle, taking into account the lower cost of electricity compared with diesel and the reduction in mileage in not having to empty as often, it is anticipated that the vehicle could provide savings on costs as well as carbon emissions.”

Above: Cllr Sam James-Lawrie with the new EV food waste truck

ENDS

Notes to editors

Food waste collected by the waste service is taken to an anaerobic Digestion Facility’ in Wallingford where it is broken down and converted into energy. As the food waste breaks down, it releases gases which are captured and converted into biogas. This process provides enough energy to power up to 4,800 homes, and nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser which is sold to local farmers to use on their land.

Find out more on our web pages – what happens to your waste