By Oxford to trial all-electric refuse collection vehicle to further zero emissions ambitions
From Tuesday 21 July through to Thursday 23 July, Oxford Direct Services (ODS) will be trialling an all-electric refuse collection vehicle on the streets of Oxford.
This trial has been implemented as part of the Oxford City Councils’ efforts to reach zero carbon emissions on service vehicles and to reduce air pollution across the city.
Maria Warner, Waste and Recycling Services Manager at ODS, said:
“We’re really excited to be testing the new all-electric refuse collection vehicle this month. This is a very significant investment for us and a major step forward for Oxford.”
ODS is aiming to electrify 25% of its fleet of 339 vehicles by 2023.
Currently there are 27 refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) in Oxford. If each of these vehicles were replaced with electric, the Council estimates it would reduce CO2 emissions by 750 tonnes per year – the weight of one average car every day.
During the trial, the new e-RCV vehicle will be used to collect both residential and commercial waste. This trial will allow ODS to assess the vehicle’s performance and suitability to Oxford’s streets ahead of the first electric vehicle delivery later this year.
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Customer Focused Services, said:
“This is a great example of a practical approach to tackling emissions and making sure it works for everyone in Oxford. These highly efficient vehicles are designed to be at least as cost-effective as their diesel counterparts over the course of their lifetime so we need to make sure every aspect of working with them is well planned before taking delivery of the first one. It’s good to see our front-line staff working with the very latest technology, which I know is eagerly awaited.”
A total of 34 new electric vehicles have been ordered by the Council, including cars, a street sweeper, an excavator, a mix of different sized vans and the RCV.
The transition to a zero-carbon fleet is in preparation for the proposed Zero Emission Zone, which aims to restrict polluting vehicles and tackle Oxford’s toxic air pollution.
Contact Gi Oxford
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
Follows us on Facebook for all the latest local stories, breaking news and to join the conversation
