Four new electric refuse vehicles have started collecting waste across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Following a successful trial in 2020, and subsequent tender process, four new Dennis Eagle e-Collect vehicles have now joined Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s fleet.
The battery-electric vehicles have been deployed and support the council’s climate and ecological emergency declaration, which commits to make operations carbon neutral by 2030.
Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment and waste, BCP Council, said: “These four new zero-emission vehicles really are making a positive difference to our air quality, whilst also serving our residents in ensuring waste collections are timely and efficient.
“The technology onboard these vehicles is incredibly impressive, alongside their capabilities to deliver a full collection route once fully charged. The noise level is notably quieter, whilst the additional safety features are reassuring.
“Over the coming years, we need to grow our refuse vehicle fleet, so these initial e-Collect trucks will allow us the opportunity to fully evaluate their performance and effectiveness.”
According to BCP Council, each electric refuse vehicle is expected to save between 30-40 tonnes of CO2 annually. This reduction is in line with the council’s wider sustainable fleet replacement strategy, which looks to replace 104 diesel-powered vehicles over the next three years.
The vehicle signage on each vehicle was completed by Creative Vehicle Wrapping, which also supplied and fitted each vehicle with Wheelysafe tyre pressure monitoring and wheel loss safety technology.
BCP Council’s agreed fleet replacement programme, totalling £26.9m, will see the replacement of core vehicles, plant and equipment as they come to the end of their economic life.
