ELECTRIC bin lorries could soon be used in Coventry after a successful trial last month.
The vehicles, which are fully electric with zero emissions, will bring a breath of fresh air to the city and are able to work a nine-hour shift after just six hours 45 minutes battery charge.
The council hopes to gradually replace the diesel fleet to help reduce air pollution in residential areas as well as meeting green targets for carbon reduction.
Coun Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services said: “We were really excited to trial one of these new fully electric refuse vehicles.
“What a difference it will make to the environment and for health if we can switch to an electric bin fleet.
“Our bin crews cover thousands of miles each year so it’s great that a crew got to actually put this all electric version through its paces.
“It was out on a round for three full days and the crews seem to really like it.”
And with Dennis Eagle – the company which manufacturers the vehicles – being based in Warwick, the city council is also supporting local industry as well as the environment and health benefits.
Coun Hetherton also recorded a short video clip about why the new lorries are important to Coventry’s future (see above).
Steven Wightman, the council’s waste operations manager, said: “It is important for crews the electric vehicles can match the performance of our usual lorries, particularly in terms of payload, reliability and manoeuvrability.
“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to trial this new technology and look forward to the day when the electric fleet operates throughout the city.”
Dennis Eagle loaned the vehicles for crews to test on their rounds.
If the trial is considered successful, the new vehicles could progressively replace all refuse diesel vehicles in the fleet.
All vehicles will also use noise emitters and reversing warnings.
The council has been successful in gaining a £2.2million Highways England grant to provide electric vehicles for local organisations to trial in order to give them a real-life insight into the benefits of switching to electric vehicles.
Over the next two years the council will provide vehicles free of charge alongside offering advice and guidance for companies considering the change to an electric fleet.
Businesses can visit www.coventry.gov.uk/electricfleet for a free electric vehicle trial and for more information on the project.
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