Funding for the first electric refuse collection vehicle in Oxford has been achieved ahead of the city’s zero emission zone pilot in August 2021, the local authority has announced.
Part-funded by Energy Superhub Oxford for the council’s wholly-owned company, ODS, the vehicle is the first step on the electrification of its fleet. The vehicle is the latest in its 339-strong fleet to be converted to electric, with plans to convert 25% of the fleet to electric by 2023 with 51 electric vehicles currently in operation and a further eight vehicles on order.
Transportandenergy.com reports that ODS currently has 27 refuse trucks, and once decarbonised to electric models, 750 tonnes less CO2 will be pumped out by Oxford per year — the weight of one average car every day, the company claim.
The electric refuse truck, which was built by British makers Dennis Eagle, also has both a quieter engine and lifting machinery than diesel trucks. It was successfully trialled in July 2020, which allowed ODS to assess the vehicle’s performance and suitability to Oxford’s streets ahead of delivery.
Image courtesy of Energy Superhub Oxford/Oxford City Council.