NEW ways to power street cleaning and waste and recycling collection vehicles are being trialled in Wychavon as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions.
FCC Environment, Wychavon’s waste and recycling collections contractor, is currently trialling two alternative fuels on waste and recycling collection rounds across the district.
The first test involves swapping a traditional diesel lorry for an electric refuse collection vehicle (e-RCV). The e-RCV has a battery range of 125 miles and can operate for about nine hours on a single charge.
Meanwhile, the second test involves the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to replace diesel as a fuel for the remainder of the collection and street cleaning fleet.
The fuel is made from different kinds of vegetable oils and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90 per cent compared to diesel. It also means there is no need to change vehicles.
Coun Tony Rowley, executive board member for Climate Change, Environmental Policy and Regulatory Services, said: “These exciting trials demonstrate the commitment of Wychavon and FCC Environment to cutting our carbon emissions.
“I hope the data from this trial will bring us a step closer to the day when we can have a fleet picking up waste and recycling across our district that is completely powered by low or zero carbon fuel sources.”
Dr Mike Burgess, head of development and lead for the e-RCV initiative at FCC Environment, said: “These wide-ranging, long-term trials will generate critical hands-on experience and real FCC Environment contract data to help inform future fleet purchase specifications for the next generation of alternative fuel vehicles in the UK.
