Glasgow City Council has taken delivery of its first fully-electric bin lorry as the authority pushes ahead with plans for a zero-emission fleet by the end of 2029.
Reportedly cheaper to run and easier to maintain than its diesel equivalent, the lorry can support up to 1,600 daily household bin collections, with the potential to remove between 20 and 25 tonnes of waste each day.
One of the first electric bin lorries in Scotland, the zero-emission vehicle can run on a single daily charge and it is expected the energy required for a daily round will cost up to 70% less than conventional fuel.
Furthermore, with fewer working parts within the lorry, the council said it hopes fewer repairs will be required.
The electric refuse collection truck forms part of Glasgow City Council’s strategy to deliver a fleet of zero-emission vehicles and plant equipment by the end of 2029, having also taken delivery of over 300 electric cars and small vans.
Some 20 dual-fuel hydrogen gritters are ready to be put into action during the winter months while a further 20 hydrogen-powered refuse vehicles are scheduled to be delivered to the council next year.
Councillor Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “This is a fantastic vehicle that shows that our zero-emissions fleet strategy goes hand in hand with investment in our cleansing service.
“With the arrival of our new electric bin lorry we have clear evidence the market is responding to Glasgow’s demand for cleaner and greener heavy vehicles.
“The specifications of the vehicle indicate the electric version will match the performance of the diesel equivalent and we will be looking very closely at this in the coming months.
“But it will be cheaper to run and easier to maintain, which is good news for our cleansing service. The vehicle is also quieter than a conventional vehicle and that is a definite plus for the environment in local communities.”
The vehicle comes equipped with a number of safety features, including 360-degree cameras that make it easier for the driver to see all around the vehicle. There are also sensors alongside the nearside of the vehicle that will provide the driver with a warning that a cyclist is passing close-by.
Once driver training has been completed, it is expected the lorry will be initially put to work in Glasgow’s southside to carry waste collected from bins put onto the pavement by householders.
The lorry will collect both general waste and dry mixed recycling, which can amount to between 10-15 tonnes of paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and metal cans each day.
With charging points installed at all four of Glasgow’s main cleansing depots, the lorry will eventually be put to work in all parts of the city.
The new lorry was purchased with the support of a grant from Transport Scotland’s Switched on Towns and Cities Fund, which is also providing assistance for the council to acquire new electric cars and vans as well as installing EV charging infrastructure.
